CarCostCheck

KIA RIO (2004)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 625 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,087

£174/month

MOT Pass Rate

64%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1399cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

64% pass rate, £2087/year to run. 18 points below average.

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Petrol1399cc22 years old625 tests68k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1399cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1399cc

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,087
Per month£174/mo
Per week£40/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

64% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 18 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the KIA brand average of 86%.

At 22 years old, 64% of KIA RIOs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 625 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 68,036 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars460th of 491(top 94%)
Rank among KIA models464th of 472(top 98%)
vs national average-18%(82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average-8%(72% avg)
vs KIA average-22%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

68,036

Average miles

vs

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 KIA RIO has 68,036 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 95% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 64%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

KIA RIO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202295%23324,400 mi
202195%3,31021,750 mi
202091%5,12126,035 mi
201989%7,84132,113 mi
201890%9,26040,153 mi
201788%13,14749,022 mi
201685%14,17852,518 mi
201584%18,61960,725 mi
201478%19,32870,276 mi
201376%17,75677,717 mi
201274%16,46685,239 mi
201172%12,39482,872 mi
201072%11,02587,460 mi
200971%8,76485,404 mi
200868%3,80092,973 mi
200767%2,36393,975 mi
200669%1,76694,045 mi
200569%1,01984,192 mi
200464%62568,036 mi
200365%30072,062 mi
200268%18468,384 mi
200167%4259,195 mi

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About the 2004 KIA RIO

The 2004 KIA RIO is a small family car with a 1399cc petrol engine. 625 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 94% of 2004 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 68,036 miles at 22 years old, KIA RIO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2004 KIA RIO Fuel Costs

The 1399cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 KIA RIO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,087 174/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 64% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

KIA RIO Reliability Trend

Newer KIA RIOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 17 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 KIA RIO

At 22 years old, the KIA RIO is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 KIA RIO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 64% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2004 KIA RIO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
KIA RIO(2004)64%£1137£195Grp 8-20£2087
FORD FOCUS(2006)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£260
MINI MINI(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£260
BMW 3 SERIES(2006)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£220
HONDA JAZZ(2006)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£365

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Kia Models

Explore other Kia cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Kia Rio.

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