Comparison · small hatchbacks

Renault Clio vs Kia Rio: which is more reliable?

The Kia Rio does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 413,797 real MOT tests in 2024.

Renault Clio

83Well below average
MOT tests316,849

Kia Rio

97Below average
MOT tests96,948

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testRenault ClioKia Rio
3–5 years
95Below average
101About average
6–9 years
83Well below average
103Above average
10–14 years
78Well below average
92Below average
15+ years
83Well below average
90Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearRenault ClioKia Rio
202187.0%92.0%
202084.2%86.3%
201977.0%84.4%
201874.0%84.3%
201768.7%82.5%
201660.7%77.5%
201557.7%76.0%
201454.7%66.6%
201355.8%61.9%
201247.6%58.7%
201146.6%54.6%
201047.1%55.2%
200948.1%54.3%
200846.7%49.3%
200746.7%48.8%
200646.6%49.6%
200547.7%50.8%
200448.4%47.8%
200349.0%50.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaRenault ClioKia Rio
Lights & electrics28.114.3
Suspension23.510.1
Brakes15.912.6
Tyres9.27.8
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.56.8
Steering6.54.4
Body & chassis5.92.1
Emissions & leaks3.82.8

Renault Clio: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn7.2%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken7.1%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.3%
  4. Position lamp: not working3.5%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
  6. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.6%

Kia Rio: top failures

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
  2. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.6%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
  4. Position lamp: not working2.5%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.1%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Renault Clio or the Kia Rio?

The Kia Rio does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Renault Clio and Kia Rio can be compared?

Both were tested for 19 registration years (2003–2021). The Renault Clio had the higher pass rate in 1 of them and the Kia Rio in 18.

What fails most on each?

Renault Clio: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; coil spring: fractured or broken. Kia Rio: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play.