2004 Kia Rio — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,725 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Kia Rio, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 68.8% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (70.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.5% in the 120-150k group versus 15.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 466 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.4% | 421 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 336 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.6% | 317 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.4% | 228 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 191 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 292 |
| 2 | Joints | 248 |
| 3 | Wheel bearings | 242 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 216 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 196 |
| 6 | Wipers | 155 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 39.1% | 1,064 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.1% | 875 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.1% | 847 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 27.6% | 751 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.3% | 554 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 19.6% | 535 |
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 | 145 | 15.9% |
| 30-60k | 917 | 29.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,115 | 33.3% |
| 90-120k | 430 | 33.5% |
| 120-150k | 113 | 34.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 881 | 30.1% |
| 2022 | 678 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 501 | 29.5% |
| 2024 | 406 | 34.7% |
| 2025 | 259 | 30.1% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Rio
Before buying a 2004 Kia Rio, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.4% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.3% 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 2004 Kia Rios pass their MOT?
68.8% of the 2,725 2004 Kia Rio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Kia Rio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests, followed by suspension (15.4%).
Does the 2004 Rio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.9% in the 0-30k band to 34.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,725 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.