2010 Kia Rio — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2010 Kia Rio passed 73.1% of its 42,806 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail 25.0% of the time, so this is 1.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, steering and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.7%) and steering (11.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, position lamp and rigid brake pipes — track rod end alone was recorded 5,147 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.7% versus 14.3%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 25.8% fail against 29.2% for diesel, a 3.4-point gap across 42,806 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 25.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 4,999 |
| 2 | Steering | 11.0% | 4,716 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.8% | 4,174 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.3% | 3,574 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.6% | 2,832 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.8% | 2,469 |
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 | 5,147 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,492 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,052 |
| 4 | Wipers | 1,931 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 1,569 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 1,565 |
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 | 31.6% | 13,505 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.7% | 12,705 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.1% | 12,042 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.6% | 5,383 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 5,036 |
| 6 | Steering | 11.6% | 4,963 |
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 | 2,024 | 14.3% |
| 30-60k | 10,034 | 22.0% |
| 60-90k | 14,865 | 27.8% |
| 90-120k | 10,335 | 30.1% |
| 120-150k | 3,935 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,606 | 32.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 28,522 | 25.8% |
| Diesel | 14,284 | 29.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,439 | 25.1% |
| 2022 | 9,214 | 26.6% |
| 2023 | 8,804 | 27.3% |
| 2024 | 8,098 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 7,251 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Rio
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (11.0% 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 2010 Kia Rios pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 42,806 2010 Kia Rio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Kia Rio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests, followed by steering (11.0%).
Does the 2010 Rio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.3% in the 0-30k band to 32.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 42,806 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.