MOT performance
Dacia Sandero vs Kia Rio: MOT pass rates compared
In 2023–2024, 69.7% of 205,898 Dacia Sandero MOT tests and 69.6% of 197,177 Kia Rio tests passed first time, a gap within the statistical margin of the two samples. Once age, mileage and fuel are allowed for, the Kia Rio fails less often than the Dacia Sandero: 1.10× against 1.53× the national rate for comparable cars.
205,898 Dacia Sandero and 197,177 Kia Rio MOT tests, 2023–2024
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Dacia Sandero: first-time pass rate | 69.7% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 205,898 |
| Kia Rio: first-time pass rate | 69.6% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 197,177 |
| Dacia Sandero: failures vs similar cars | +53% | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Kia Rio: failures vs similar cars | +10% | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Dacia Sandero: dangerous defect | 7.2% | n = 205,898 |
| Kia Rio: dangerous defect | 8.7% | n = 197,177 |
| Average age at test | 6.2 vs 9 years | Dacia Sandero vs Kia Rio |
Why the raw pass rates can mislead
The Kia Rio was tested at an older average age (9 years against 6.2), and older cars fail more often whatever they are. That is why the table above also shows failures against cars of the same age, mileage and fuel: it compares the models, not their fleets.
Failure areas side by side
Share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and in brackets how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel (1.00 = national average). The clearest difference is body, chassis and structure, where the Dacia Sandero fails 5.9 times as often on an adjusted basis.
| Area | Dacia Sandero | Kia Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 6.0% (+56%) | 8.0% (+34%) |
| Steering | 1.1% (+18%) | 4.2% (+145%) |
| Suspension | 7.5% (+75%) | 8.1% (-3%) |
| Tyres | 5.0% (-11%) | 7.0% (+12%) |
| Road wheels | 0.1% (-41%) | 0.2% (-36%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 12.1% (+108%) | 10.8% (+5%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 5.2% (+307%) | 1.9% (-31%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 7.8% (+115%) | 6.4% (+41%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.7% (+11%) | 2.2% (-18%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.6% (+37%) | 1.2% (+71%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.1% (-52%) | 0.3% (+12%) |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% (+104%) | 0.0% (-35%) |
Pass rate at the same age
Comparing cars of the same age removes most of the fleet-age effect from the raw rates.
| Age at test | Dacia Sandero | Kia Rio |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 years | 79.2% (n = 42,863) | 86.7% (n = 17,368) |
| 5-6 years | 73.2% (n = 52,886) | 83.5% (n = 27,127) |
| 7-8 years | 62.9% (n = 56,607) | 76.5% (n = 40,002) |
| 9-10 years | 57.6% (n = 36,895) | 65.5% (n = 41,203) |
| 11-12 years | 59.8% (n = 2,418) | 58.2% (n = 32,065) |
Most common failure item
- Dacia Sandero · joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (4.41% of tests)
- Kia Rio · position lamp: not working (3.24% of tests)
MOT results reflect how cars are maintained as well as how they are built, so a gap between two models is a difference in test performance, not proof that one is more reliable. For one car, its own MOT history says more than any average.
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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.