2009 Kia RIO petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Track rod ends4.3× usual
  Kia RIO

  21.3% 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.

• Sub-frame2.2× usual
  Kia RIO

  12.9% All 2009 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, 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.

• Exhaust system1.9× usual
  Kia RIO

  14.9% All 2009 cars

  7.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Rigid brake pipes1.9× usual
  Kia RIO

  13.9% All 2009 cars

  7.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.6× usual
  Kia RIO

  16.5% All 2009 cars

  10.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, 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 petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  52% 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
  33% 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
  31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  14% 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 petrol

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 4.3× as often on the 2009 Kia RIO petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2009 Kia RIO petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2009 Kia RIO petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?