Kia Rio (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 3,310 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,630

£136/month

MOT Pass Rate

95%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

998cc Petrol

Great Choice

95% pass rate, £1,630/year to run. 13 points above average.

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Petrol998cc5 years old3,310 tests22k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 998cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,630

Per month£136/mo

Per week£31/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

95% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 13 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Kia brand average of 86%.

95% of MOT tests on Kia Rios from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 3,310 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 21,750 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models729th of 3,336(top 22%)

Rank among Kia models61st of 471(top 13%)

vs average of all models+13%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average+3%(92% avg)

vs Kia average+9%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

21,750

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 Kia Rio had 21,750 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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

2019 · 998cc Petrol

£1,630/year

91%

-4%

Volkswagen Golf

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

-3%

Vauxhall Corsa

2019 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

88%

-7%

Audi A3

2019 · 999cc Petrol

£1,630/year

92%

-3%

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About the 2021 Kia Rio

The 2021 Kia Rio is a city car. Our records list a 998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 3,310 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It ranks in the top 22% of all 2021 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 21,750 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Kia Rio owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2021 Kia Rio Fuel Costs

The modest 998cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 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 2021 Kia Rio?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,630 (£136/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 95% 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 2021 Kia Rio

At 5 years old, the Kia Rio offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.

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.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

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 2021 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(2021)	95%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630
Ford Fiesta(2019)	91%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630same
Volkswagen Golf(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853+£223
Vauxhall Corsa(2019)	88%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003+£373
Audi A3(2019)	92%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630same

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 2021 Kia Rio

Is the 2021 Kia Rio reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 95% of MOT tests on 2021 Kia Rios ended in a pass, from 3,310 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 Kia Rio cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,630 a year (£136 a month): £1,175 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 2021 Kia Rio?

95% of 3,310 MOT tests on the 2021 Kia Rio ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 729th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top 22%).

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 2021 Kia Rio?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Kia Rio is 21,750 miles, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.