2009 Kia Rio — MOT failures & pass rate
34,496 MOT tests on the 2009 Kia Rio are in this dataset, and 72.6% of them passed. That is 1.3 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 26.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, steering and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests against 10.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, position lamp and wipers — track rod end alone was recorded 3,923 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 32.5% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 26.8% fail against 29.0% for diesel, a 2.2-point gap across 34,496 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 26.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 4,721 |
| 2 | Steering | 10.7% | 3,685 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.8% | 3,390 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.0% | 2,747 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.3% | 2,505 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.0% | 2,083 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 3,923 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,407 |
| 3 | Wipers | 1,861 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,633 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 1,462 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 1,200 |
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 | 34.2% | 11,808 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.0% | 10,694 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.6% | 9,521 |
| 4 | Steering | 13.6% | 4,685 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.9% | 4,447 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.9% | 4,441 |
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 | 1,780 | 15.3% |
| 30-60k | 8,193 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 11,856 | 28.5% |
| 90-120k | 8,255 | 30.4% |
| 120-150k | 3,189 | 32.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,214 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 25,650 | 26.8% |
| Diesel | 8,846 | 29.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,052 | 26.4% |
| 2022 | 7,601 | 27.1% |
| 2023 | 6,978 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 6,321 | 28.2% |
| 2025 | 5,544 | 28.4% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Rio
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (10.7% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Suspension (9.8% 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.
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 2009 Kia Rios pass their MOT?
72.6% of the 34,496 2009 Kia Rio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Kia Rio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by steering (10.7%).
Does the 2009 Rio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.3% in the 0-30k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 34,496 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.