2009 Kia Rio MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 54.2% of Kia Rios first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. Across 14,150 Rio first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and steering.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Kia Rios first used in 2009 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2009 Kia Rio MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Rios first used in 2009 against all cars first used in 2009 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Rio figure was 4.1 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2009 Rio | All cars first used 2009 | Rio first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 56.6% | 60.5% | 6,062 |
| 2022 | 56.2% | 60.1% | 5,700 |
| 2023 | 56.0% | 59.0% | 5,253 |
| 2024 | 54.1% | 58.4% | 4,738 |
| 2025 | 54.2% | 58.3% | 4,159 |
Common 2009 Kia Rio MOT failures
Share of the 6,390 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | 26.4% | 1,690 |
| Position lamp: not working | 18.1% | 1,157 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 11.3% | 725 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 9.3% | 594 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 7.3% | 469 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Rio in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2009 Kia Rio before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Steering. Worth feeling for play or knocks in the steering on the test drive, and asking when the tracking was last checked.
Common 2009 Kia Rio MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2009 Rios, as a share of all 14,150 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 19.0% | 2,684 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 15.3% | 2,165 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 13.9% | 1,967 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | 12.1% | 1,706 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 11.5% | 1,628 |
Questions about the 2009 Kia Rio MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2009 Kia Rio?
In 2025, 54.2% of Rios first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2009 Rio most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 41.7% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (32.7%) and steering (31.0%). The single most common item was “Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play” (26.4%).
How often does a 2009 Kia Rio fail its MOT?
In 2025, 45.8% of first tests on Rios first used in 2009 did not pass first time: 37.9% failed, and a further 8.0% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 6,390 of 14,150 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2009 Kia Rio MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 19.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (15.3%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (13.9%), “Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened” (12.1%) and “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (11.5%).
Is a 2009 Kia Rio reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 56.6% in 2021 to 54.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2009
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2009 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2009 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2009 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2009 Rio?
The numbers above cover every Rio first used in 2009 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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