2005 Kia Rio — MOT failures & pass rate
4,533 MOT tests on the 2005 Kia Rio are in this dataset, and 68.7% of them passed. That is 2.5 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 28.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.5%) and suspension (15.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, track rod end and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 354 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.9% in the 0-30k band and 34.2% in the 150k+ band, a 17.2-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 30.6% fail against 32.7% for diesel, a 2.1-point gap across 4,533 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 37.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 704 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.5% | 703 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.7% | 622 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 356 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.2% | 326 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.8% | 307 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 354 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 300 |
| 3 | Joints | 276 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 257 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 245 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 234 |
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 | 37.1% | 1,683 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.6% | 1,523 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.7% | 1,437 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 16.0% | 725 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 722 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.4% | 609 |
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 | 183 | 16.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,082 | 27.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,545 | 32.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,062 | 33.2% |
| 120-150k | 454 | 35.7% |
| 150k+ | 205 | 34.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,046 | 30.6% |
| Diesel | 1,487 | 32.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,421 | 31.7% |
| 2022 | 1,098 | 30.9% |
| 2023 | 864 | 31.4% |
| 2024 | 663 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 487 | 32.2% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Rio
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.5% 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 (13.7% 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.
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 2005 Kia Rios pass their MOT?
68.7% of the 4,533 2005 Kia Rio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Kia Rio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by suspension (15.5%).
Does the 2005 Rio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.9% in the 0-30k band to 34.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,533 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.