2006 Kia Rio — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,842 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Kia Rio, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 69.9% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (71.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.1% in the 150k+ group versus 17.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 1,311 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.4% | 1,126 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.9% | 1,093 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.1% | 712 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.9% | 537 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.5% | 507 |
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 | 737 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 665 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 560 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 521 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 484 |
| 6 | Wipers | 371 |
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 | 35.0% | 2,749 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.2% | 2,681 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.8% | 2,336 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.3% | 1,121 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 1,118 |
| 6 | Steering | 10.6% | 830 |
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 | 198 | 17.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,386 | 24.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,528 | 29.5% |
| 90-120k | 2,147 | 32.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,138 | 34.3% |
| 150k+ | 442 | 35.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,021 | 28.1% |
| Diesel | 3,821 | 32.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,246 | 30.7% |
| 2022 | 1,877 | 29.9% |
| 2023 | 1,547 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 1,228 | 30.4% |
| 2025 | 944 | 29.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Rio
Before buying a 2006 Kia Rio, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.4% 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 (13.9% 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 2006 Kia Rios pass their MOT?
69.9% of the 7,842 2006 Kia Rio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Kia Rio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.7% of tests, followed by suspension (14.4%).
Does the 2006 Rio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.7% in the 0-30k band to 35.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,842 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.