Is the 2018 KIA RIO reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of KIA RIOs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 9,260 tests. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2018 KIA RIO cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,587 (£132/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 KIA RIO?

The 2018 KIA RIO has a 90% MOT pass rate based on 9,260 tests in 2026. This ranks 339 out of 649 cars from 2018.

Which year KIA RIO is most reliable?

The 2021 KIA RIO has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%. The least reliable year is 2004 at 64%.

KIA RIO (2018)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2018 KIA RIO?

The average mileage for a 2018 KIA RIO is 40,153 miles, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 9,260 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,587

£132/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1368cc Petrol

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £1587/year to run. 8 points above average.

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Petrol1368cc8 years old9,260 tests40k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1368cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,587

Per month£132/mo

Per week£31/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

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the KIA brand average of 86%.

At 8 years old, 90% of KIA RIOs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 9,260 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 40,153 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 cars339th of 649(top 52%)

Rank among KIA models222th of 472(top 47%)

vs national average+8%(82% avg)

vs 2018 cars average+1%(89% avg)

vs KIA average+4%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

40,153

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 KIA RIO has 40,153 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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%. The 2018 sits between the two at 90%.

KIA RIO by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	95%	233	24,400 mi
2021	95%	3,310	21,750 mi
2020	91%	5,121	26,035 mi
2019	89%	7,841	32,113 mi
2018	90%	9,260	40,153 mi
2017	88%	13,147	49,022 mi
2016	85%	14,178	52,518 mi
2015	84%	18,619	60,725 mi
2014	78%	19,328	70,276 mi
2013	76%	17,756	77,717 mi
2012	74%	16,466	85,239 mi
2011	72%	12,394	82,872 mi
2010	72%	11,025	87,460 mi
2009	71%	8,764	85,404 mi
2008	68%	3,800	92,973 mi
2007	67%	2,363	93,975 mi
2006	69%	1,766	94,045 mi
2005	69%	1,019	84,192 mi
2004	64%	625	68,036 mi
2003	65%	300	72,062 mi
2002	68%	184	68,384 mi
2001	67%	42	59,195 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FIESTA

2016 · 998cc Petrol

£1,390/year

81%

-9%

VAUXHALL CORSA

2016 · 1398cc Petrol

£1,572/year

81%

-9%

FORD FOCUS

2016 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,677/year

87%

-3%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,550/year

86%

-4%

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About the 2018 KIA RIO

The 2018 KIA RIO is a small family car with a 1368cc petrol engine. 9,260 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 40,153 miles at 8 years old, KIA RIO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2018 KIA RIO Fuel Costs

The 1368cc 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 2018 KIA RIO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,587 (£132/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2018 KIA RIO

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 95%. With 9,260 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2018 KIA RIO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2018 KIA RIO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
KIA RIO(2018)	90%	£1137	£195	Grp 8-20	£1587
FORD FIESTA(2016)	81%	£955	£30	Grp 1-8	£1390-£197
VAUXHALL CORSA(2016)	81%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1572-£15
FORD FOCUS(2016)	87%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677+£90
NISSAN QASHQAI(2017)	86%	£955	£190	Grp 5-15	£1550-£37

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.