2011 Kia Rio — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 47,223 MOT tests, the 2011 Kia Rio recorded a 73.4% pass rate. That is 2.7 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 23.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.7%) and suspension (11.1%) 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 ball joint dust cover — track rod end alone was recorded 4,081 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.7% versus 14.1%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.4pp more often than petrol ones (29.3% vs 25.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 31.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 24.0% 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 | 12.7% | 5,974 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.1% | 5,258 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.9% | 4,205 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.9% | 3,728 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.1% | 2,889 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.5% | 2,579 |
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 | 4,081 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,709 |
| 3 | Ball joint dust cover | 2,483 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 1,901 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1,890 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 1,740 |
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 | 31.4% | 14,837 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.6% | 13,974 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.7% | 13,569 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 5,701 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.7% | 5,039 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.3% | 4,848 |
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 | 2,276 | 14.1% |
| 30-60k | 12,480 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 17,246 | 27.6% |
| 90-120k | 10,418 | 30.6% |
| 120-150k | 3,555 | 31.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,240 | 30.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 36,530 | 25.9% |
| Diesel | 10,693 | 29.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,934 | 24.0% |
| 2022 | 9,895 | 26.1% |
| 2023 | 9,706 | 27.3% |
| 2024 | 9,200 | 28.2% |
| 2025 | 8,488 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Rio
On a 2011 Rio, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.1% 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 (8.9% 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 2011 Kia Rios pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 47,223 2011 Kia Rio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Kia Rio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.7% of tests, followed by suspension (11.1%).
Does the 2011 Rio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.1% in the 0-30k band to 30.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 47,223 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.