2012 Kia Rio MOT pass rate: 66.7% (26,550 tests)
Is the 2012 Rio getting worse?
Pass rate of 2012-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 67.8% -4.5 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 65.6% -5.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 66.6% -3.7 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2012 Rio
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 5,722 | 24.3% |
| 2 | Suspension | 5,220 | 22.2% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 4,169 | 17.7% |
| 4 | Tyres | 2,565 | 10.9% |
| 5 | Visibility | 1,732 | 7.4% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 1,562 | 6.6% |
All Rio years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2,757 | 60.0% | -4.5 pts | 87,564 |
| 2007 | 3,469 | 59.7% | -5.4 pts | 88,383 |
| 2008 | 5,925 | 59.3% | -5.8 pts | 87,319 |
| 2009 | 13,989 | 63.0% | -3.4 pts | 79,862 |
| 2010 | 17,807 | 62.9% | -4.5 pts | 81,509 |
| 2011 | 20,178 | 62.9% | -6.3 pts | 78,526 |
| 2012 (this page) | 26,550 | 66.7% | -4.5 pts | 81,427 |
| 2013 | 29,323 | 68.8% | -4.5 pts | 73,408 |
| 2014 | 32,520 | 73.2% | -2.6 pts | 65,872 |
| 2015 | 33,641 | 80.7% | +2.0 pts | 56,343 |
| 2016 | 26,134 | 82.8% | +1.4 pts | 48,747 |
| 2017 | 23,889 | 86.3% | +2.3 pts | 44,997 |
| 2018 | 16,876 | 88.7% | +2.3 pts | 36,870 |
| 2019 | 14,312 | 89.3% | +0.9 pts | 29,112 |
| 2020 | 9,279 | 91.1% | +1.1 pts | 23,239 |
| 2021 | 4,276 | 92.3% | +1.9 pts | 22,610 |
| 2022 | 3,010 | 93.1% | +1.8 pts | 20,928 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Kia Rio years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2012 Kia Rio reliable?
2012-registered examples passed 66.7% of their MOT tests (26,550 tests, 2023–2025), -4.5 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 14 years old with a median 81,427 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2012 Rio?
The median tested example shows 81,427 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2012 Rio?
In this cohort petrols pass 68.6% of tests against 62.0% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.