2010 Kia Rio — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 42,796 MOT tests analysed for the 2010 Kia Rio, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, steering and suspension. Its pass rate of 73.1% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (75.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.7% in the 150k+ group versus 14.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 4,996 |
| 2 | Steering | 11.0% | 4,715 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.8% | 4,174 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.3% | 3,574 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.6% | 2,832 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.8% | 2,468 |
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 | 5,146 |
| 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% | 12,703 |
| 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 | 2,021 | 14.2% |
| 30-60k | 10,028 | 22.0% |
| 60-90k | 14,864 | 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 | 28,512 | 25.8% |
| Diesel | 14,284 | 29.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,437 | 25.1% |
| 2022 | 9,213 | 26.6% |
| 2023 | 8,803 | 27.3% |
| 2024 | 8,094 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 7,249 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Rio
Before buying a 2010 Kia Rio, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 11.7% of tests for this year.
- 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 42,796 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 14.2% in the 0-30k band to 32.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 42,796 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.