2012 · 12 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2012 Kia Rio MOT pass rate and common faults

8,840 MOT tests in 2024. 58.7% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

91Well below average
Passed first time58.7%
Failed or needed repairs41.3%
Typical mileage at test81,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 8,840 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.5%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.3%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.7%
    473 marked dangerous
  5. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault3.6%
  6. Position lamp: not working2.8%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.5%
    263 marked dangerous
  8. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.4%
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.1%
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.0%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics21.5%
  2. Brakes20.6%
  3. Suspension17.4%
  4. Tyres8.5%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.8%
  6. Emissions & leaks6.1%
  7. Seat belts & airbags4.3%
  8. Body & chassis2.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.1%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.2%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.8%
  4. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened7.8%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Kia Rio?

In 2024, 58.7% of 2012 Kia Rio cars passed their MOT first time, across 8,840 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Kia Rio?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2012 Kia Rio reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 91, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).