2002 Kia Rio — MOT failures & pass rate
869 MOT tests on the 2002 Kia Rio are in this dataset, and 69.5% of them passed. That is 1.0 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 29.4%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (16.1%) and brakes (13.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, wheel bearings and joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 82 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.6% in the 0-30k band and 35.0% in the 90-120k band, a 13.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 41.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 37.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.1% | 140 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.8% | 120 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.7% | 93 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.5% | 91 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.5% | 65 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.0% | 52 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 82 |
| 2 | Wheel bearings | 67 |
| 3 | Joints | 62 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 58 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 55 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 50 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 41.5% | 361 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.7% | 310 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.5% | 248 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 24.6% | 214 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.9% | 147 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.8% | 146 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 37 | 21.6% |
| 30-60k | 333 | 29.1% |
| 60-90k | 330 | 30.9% |
| 90-120k | 137 | 35.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 268 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 209 | 30.6% |
| 2023 | 166 | 30.1% |
| 2024 | 133 | 31.6% |
| 2025 | 93 | 37.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Rio
On a 2002 Rio, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (16.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (13.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.7% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2002 Kia Rios pass their MOT?
69.5% of the 869 2002 Kia Rio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Kia Rio?
Suspension, recorded in 16.1% of tests, followed by brakes (13.8%).
Does the 2002 Rio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.6% in the 0-30k band to 35.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 869 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.