2009 Kia RIO diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Kia RIO diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Kia RIO diesel than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Track rod ends4.5× usual
  Kia RIO

  22% All 2009 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 12.8%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Power steering pipes and hoses30.7× usual
  Kia RIO

  9.2% All 2009 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Rigid brake pipes2.3× usual
  Kia RIO

  16% All 2009 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Sub-frame2.3× usual
  Kia RIO

  13.3% All 2009 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
  Kia RIO

  17.8% All 2009 cars

  10.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 2.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 2009 Kia RIO diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Kia RIO diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  59% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  37% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  36% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  33% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Steering
  14% of testsRough price £100–£450

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  13% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Kia RIO diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 4.5× as often on the 2009 Kia RIO diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the power steering pipes and hoses? (Flagged at MOT 30.7× as often on the 2009 Kia RIO diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2009 Kia RIO diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?