Kia Rio — Buyer's Guide
Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
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Kia Rio overview
With 97,333 currently licensed in the UK, the Kia Rio is one of Britain's most popular cars.
Euro NCAP awarded the Rio 5 stars in 2017, with 93% adult occupant and 84% child protection scores.
It has a 80.2% first-time MOT pass rate — above the UK national average of 72%. Common MOT failure areas include lighting, brakes, suspension.
Annual running costs are estimated at £2,691 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £224/month or 36p/mile.
NCAP Safety
2017
MOT Pass Rate
80.2%
85,000 tests
Monthly Cost
£224
est. annual total
New From
£26,000
Safety rating
Euro NCAP tested the Rio in 2017 and awarded it 5 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
93%
Child Occupant
84%
Pedestrian
71%
Safety Assist
59%
Safety recalls
There are 6 known DVSA recalls affecting the Kia Rio. Enter a registration number to check whether a specific vehicle is affected.
R/2024/465
The HECU hydraulic electronic control unit of affected vehicles equipped with Anti-lock Brake Systems ABS and Electronic Stability Control ESC could leak internally and cause an electrical short over time. In extreme cases the HECU could overheat with a possible risk of an under bonnet fire.
Build dates: 2009-10-28 to 2011-09-26
R/2024/465
The HECU hydraulic electronic control unit of affected vehicles equipped with Anti-lock Brake Systems ABS and Electronic Stability Control ESC could leak internally and cause an electrical short over time. In extreme cases the HECU could overheat with a possible risk of an under bonnet fire.
Build dates: 2009-10-28 to 2011-09-26
R/2024/465
The HECU hydraulic electronic control unit of affected vehicles equipped with Anti-lock Brake Systems ABS and Electronic Stability Control ESC could leak internally and cause an electrical short over time. In extreme cases the HECU could overheat with a possible risk of an under bonnet fire.
Build dates: 2010-12-15 to 2017-03-31
R/2018/120
On some Rio models the child locks on the rear doors may not operate; this is caused by the incorrect length release lever cable being installed.
Build dates: 2017-04-10 to 2017-06-05
R/2004/109
The possibility exists that the inlet nipple on the fuel distribution rail may crack. Should this occur the potential exists for a fuel leak additionally the risk of fire.
Build dates: 2000-05-04 to 2004-03-31
+ 1 more recall. Check a specific vehicle to see the full list.
Reliability & MOT
Based on 85,000 MOT tests, the Rio has a first-time pass rate of 80.2% — above the UK national average of 72%.
This is a positive sign for reliability. The Rio is less likely to have issues at MOT time than the average car on UK roads.
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Running costs
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Kia Rio are estimated at around £2,691 per year, or £224 per month.
Fuel
£916
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£1,050
/year
MOT
£55
/year
Estimated annual running costs based on available data. Excludes insurance, parking, and finance costs. Actual costs depend on your driving habits and circumstances.
Fuel economy
The Rio achieves a combined fuel economy of around 62.8 mpg (54.3 mpg urban, 68.9 mpg extra-urban).
| Variant | Fuel | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| RIO | PETROL | 48.7 mpg | 1.0L |
| RIO | PETROL | 49.6 mpg | 1.2L |
| RIO | PETROL | 46.3 mpg | 1.2L |
| RIO | PETROL | 42.8 mpg | 1.4L |
| RIO | PETROL | 39.2 mpg | 1.4L |
| RIO | DIESEL | 60.1 mpg | 1.5L |
| RIO | PETROL | 46.3 mpg | 1.6L |
| RIO 3-DOOR | DIESEL | 88.3 mpg | 1.1L |
Depreciation
Starting from £26,000 new, a Kia Rio typically retains about 56% after 3 years and 46% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 75% | £19,500 | −£6,500 |
| 2 years | 64% | £16,600 | −£9,400 |
| 3 years | 56% | £14,600 | −£11,400 |
| 4 years | 50% | £13,150 | −£12,850 |
| 5 years | 46% | £12,100 | −£13,900 |
| 6 years | 43% | £11,250 | −£14,750 |
| 7 years | 41% | £10,550 | −£15,450 |
| 8 years | 39% | £10,050 | −£15,950 |
| 9 years | 37% | £9,550 | −£16,450 |
| 10 years | 35% | £9,050 | −£16,950 |
How common is the Rio?
There are currently 97,333 licensed and 4,452 SORN Rios in the UK (101,785 total). This makes it a very common vehicle on UK roads.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kia Rio reliable?
The Rio has a 80.2% first-time MOT pass rate based on 85,000 tests — above the UK national average of 72%. This suggests good overall reliability.
How safe is the Kia Rio?
Euro NCAP awarded the Rio 5 out of 5 stars when tested in 2017. It scored 93% for adult occupant protection, 84% for child occupant protection, 71% for vulnerable road users, and 59% for safety assist features.
How much does a Kia Rio cost to run?
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Rio are estimated at around £2,691 per year (£224/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
Are there any recalls on the Kia Rio?
There are 6 known safety recalls affecting the Rio. These are issued by the DVSA when a safety defect is found. You can check if a specific vehicle is affected by entering its registration number.
How much does a new Kia Rio cost?
A new Rio starts from around £26,000. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 46% of its original value.
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