2017 Kia RIO diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Kia RIO diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Kia RIO diesel than on all cars registered in 2017.

• Headlights2.5× usual
  Kia RIO

  2.8% All 2017 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Braking performance1.9× usual
  Kia RIO

  3.2% All 2017 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.5% of all 2017 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.

Common 2017 Kia RIO diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Kia RIO diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  34% 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
  20% 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
  9% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  9% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% 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
  3% 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 2017 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.

• Child lock recall (built Apr to June 2017)

  Built mid-2017

  On some cars built 10 April to 5 June 2017 the rear child locks might not work because a cable was the wrong length.

  At the viewing: Try the child locks and ask a Kia dealer whether the recall was done.

  Source: What Car?: used Kia Rio (2017 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 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 headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2017 Kia RIO diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2017 Kia RIO diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?