Kia Rio (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 9,260 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,853

£154/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1368cc Petrol

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £1,853/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

£1,398

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,853

Per month£154/mo

Per week£36/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Kia brand average of 86%.

90% of MOT tests on Kia Rios from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 9,260 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 40,153 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models309th of 607(bottom half)

Rank among Kia models222nd of 471(top half)

vs average of all models+8%(82% avg)

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

vs Kia average+4%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

40,153

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 Kia Rio had 40,153 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 64%. The 2018 scores 90%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

£1,600/year

81%

-9%

Vauxhall Corsa

2016 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

81%

-9%

Ford Focus

2016 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

87%

-3%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

-4%

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About the 2018 Kia Rio

The 2018 Kia Rio is a small family car. Our records list a 1368cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 9,260 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 40,153 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Kia Rio owners drive about as much as the UK average.

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 £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2018 Kia Rio?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,853 (£154/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 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 pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 17 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

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.

What the 2018 Kia Rio Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 875 MOT tests on the 2018 Kia Rio that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Tyres33%
Same age: 29%
Lights and electrics29%
Same age: 27%
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors24%
Same age: 16% (fails on this more often)
Brakes16%
Same age: 19%

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · Kia Rio reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Kia Rio(2018)	90%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£1,853
Ford Fiesta(2016)	81%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£253
Vauxhall Corsa(2016)	81%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003+£150
Ford Focus(2016)	87%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078+£225
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780-£73

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2018 Kia Rio

Is the 2018 Kia Rio reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of MOT tests on 2018 Kia Rios ended in a pass, from 9,260 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2018 Kia Rio cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,853 a year (£154 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 Kia Rio?

90% of 9,260 MOT tests on the 2018 Kia Rio ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 309th of 607 models first registered in 2018 (bottom half).

Which year Kia Rio has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Kia Rio has the highest MOT pass rate at 95% and the 2004 the lowest at 64%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2018 Kia Rio?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 Kia Rio is 40,153 miles, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.