Comparison · small hatchbacks

Vauxhall Corsa vs Kia Rio: which is more reliable?

The Kia Rio does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 92 for the Vauxhall Corsa, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 944,612 real MOT tests in 2024.

Vauxhall Corsa

92Well below average

MOT tests847,664

Kia Rio

97Below average

MOT tests96,948

By age

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

Age at test	Vauxhall Corsa	Kia Rio
3–5 years	96Below average	101About average
6–9 years	92Below average	103Above average
10–14 years	90Well below average	92Below average
15+ years	91Well below average	90Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	Vauxhall Corsa	Kia Rio
2021	85.3%	92.0%
2020	81.8%	86.3%
2019	81.1%	84.4%
2018	78.2%	84.3%
2017	73.8%	82.5%
2016	70.3%	77.5%
2015	66.4%	76.0%
2014	58.1%	66.6%
2013	59.8%	61.9%
2012	59.4%	58.7%
2011	58.4%	54.6%
2010	55.7%	55.2%
2009	54.4%	54.3%
2008	53.3%	49.3%
2007	52.6%	48.8%
2006	49.5%	49.6%
2005	48.9%	50.8%
2004	49.9%	47.8%
2003	49.6%	50.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	Vauxhall Corsa	Kia Rio
Lights & electrics	20.7	14.3
Suspension	14.9	10.1
Brakes	10.2	12.6
Tyres	7.4	7.8
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	7.2	6.8
Steering	4.9	4.4
Emissions & leaks	6.3	2.8
Body & chassis	4.8	2.1

Vauxhall Corsa: top failures

Coil spring: fractured or broken5.3%
Stop lamp: not working3.2%
Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.5%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.3%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.7%

Kia Rio: top failures

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

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Vauxhall Corsa or the Kia Rio?

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

Which years of the Vauxhall Corsa and Kia Rio can be compared?

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

What fails most on each?

Vauxhall Corsa: coil spring: fractured or broken; stop lamp: not working. Kia Rio: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play.