2011 Kia RIO diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Kia RIO diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Kia RIO diesel than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Track rod ends4.2× usual
  Kia RIO

  19.9% All 2011 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 12.2%, against 2.4% of all 2011 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.

• Ball joint dust cover3.7× usual
  Kia RIO

  9.9% All 2011 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Braking performance2.3× usual
  Kia RIO

  12.5% All 2011 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Rigid brake pipes2.1× usual
  Kia RIO

  12.1% All 2011 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1% of all 2011 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
  Kia RIO

  9.2% All 2011 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Common 2011 Kia RIO diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Kia RIO diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  54% 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.

• Brakes
  42% 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.

• Tyres
  35% 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  11% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2011 Kia RIO diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Dashboard rattles

  All engines

  Dashboard rattles can be bad, and fixing them can mean taking the dashboard out.

  At the viewing: Drive on a rough road and listen.

  Source: Auto Express: used Kia Rio (Mk3, 2011-2016) review

• Stop-start, hill hold and ESP faults

  All engines

  The stop-start can work erratically, and some owners have had problems with hill hold and ESP.

  At the viewing: Watch stop-start at junctions, and check that hill hold holds on a slope.

  Source: Auto Express: used Kia Rio (Mk3, 2011-2016) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 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 4.2× as often on the 2011 Kia RIO diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2011 Kia RIO diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2011 Kia RIO diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?