Kia Rio (2004)
2004 Kia Rio
CarHunch analysed 7,000 real MOT records for the 2004 Kia Rio. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2004 Kia Rio has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 72.2%, which is 7.8 percentage points below the UK average—a meaningful gap that suggests more frequent repairs than typical for this age group. One in four of these vehicles (23%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a legitimate concern for prospective buyers despite the Rio's general reputation as a budget-friendly runabout.
At 53,900 miles average, these Rios have covered reasonable mileage for their age, but they're clocking up nearly 4 failures per test and 16 advisories on average, pointing to cumulative wear on suspension, brakes, and exhaust components. If you're considering one, budget for immediate brake and suspension inspection, and factor in regular fluid and filter work—this generation won't reward neglect.
What to check before buying a 2004 Kia Rio
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 23% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Kia Rio
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 6,995 | 72.2% | 3.97 |
| Diesel (0%) | 3 | 65% | 4.67 |
| CNG (0%) | 1 | 69.2% | 4 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 75% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 Kia Rio vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2004 Kia Rio vehicles fall between 39,990 and 65,474 miles.
2004 Kia Rio — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 281 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (5% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2004 Kia Rio
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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74.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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71.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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45.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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38.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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32.4%
Oil leak
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30%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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29.4%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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29.1%
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Kia Rio?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.