2021 Kia Rio Gt-Line S Mhev — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 881 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Kia Rio Gt-Line S Mhev, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 93.5% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.5% | 40 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.2% | 19 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 11 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.4% | 4 |
| 5 | Steering | 0.3% | 3 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 22 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 14 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 9 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 4 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 4 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.4% | 180 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.6% | 76 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.3% | 38 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.4% | 30 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.5% | 22 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.8% | 7 |
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 | 611 | 4.8% |
| 30-60k | 255 | 9.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 433 | 4.6% |
| 2025 | 444 | 8.3% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Rio Gt-Line S Mhev
Before buying a 2021 Kia Rio Gt-Line S Mhev, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.5% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (4.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (2.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (1.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2021 Kia Rio Gt-Line S Mhevs pass their MOT?
93.5% of the 881 2021 Kia Rio Gt-Line S Mhev MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Kia Rio Gt-Line S Mhev?
Tyres, recorded in 4.5% of tests, followed by visibility (2.2%).
Does the 2021 Rio Gt-Line S Mhev get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.8% in the 0-30k band to 9.8% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 881 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.