Comparison · small hatchbacks

SEAT Ibiza vs Kia Rio: which is more reliable?

The Kia Rio does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 92 for the SEAT Ibiza, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 288,113 real MOT tests in 2024.

SEAT Ibiza

92Well below average
MOT tests191,165

Kia Rio

97Below average
MOT tests96,948

By age

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

Age at testSEAT IbizaKia Rio
3–5 years
100About average
101About average
6–9 years
89Well below average
103Above average
10–14 years
92Well below average
92Below average
15+ years
88Well below average
90Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearSEAT IbizaKia Rio
202187.8%92.0%
202086.4%86.3%
201985.6%84.4%
201875.1%84.3%
201770.5%82.5%
201668.3%77.5%
201564.5%76.0%
201462.4%66.6%
201360.3%61.9%
201260.0%58.7%
201157.9%54.6%
201055.9%55.2%
200953.3%54.3%
200848.7%49.3%
200747.0%48.8%
200649.9%49.6%
200550.1%50.8%
200451.3%47.8%
200349.9%50.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaSEAT IbizaKia Rio
Lights & electrics15.414.3
Brakes14.512.6
Suspension15.110.1
Tyres9.47.8
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.86.8
Steering3.74.4
Emissions & leaks5.02.8
Body & chassis4.82.1

SEAT Ibiza: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.8%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.4%
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.2%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.0%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.9%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.5%

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 SEAT Ibiza or the Kia Rio?

The Kia Rio does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 92 for the SEAT Ibiza, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the SEAT Ibiza and Kia Rio can be compared?

Both were tested for 19 registration years (2003–2021). The SEAT Ibiza had the higher pass rate in 7 of them and the Kia Rio in 12.

What fails most on each?

SEAT Ibiza: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Kia Rio: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play.