2008 KIA RIO 1.5L Diesel · KM08 NXS
2008 KIA RIO (1.5L, diesel). First registered 01 May 2008. Recorded mileage 72,224 miles. MOT valid until 14 Jun 2027. Taxed until 01 Jun 2027.
- Make & Model
- KIA RIO
- Year / Origin
- 2008 · Northampton
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 14 Jun 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Jun 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 72,224 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 1.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
KM08 NXS Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 29/05/2026
- 72,224 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (6 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
KM08 NXS MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2008 Kia Rio (KM08 NXS) between May 2023 and May 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 29 May 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (6 issues), Lighting (2 issues), Tyres (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 8 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear brake pipe (1.1.11 (c))”; “Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear brake pipe (1.1.11 (c))”; “Offside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))”.
KM08 NXS Mileage History
- 18/05/202364,359 mi
- 16/05/202467,449 mi+3,090 mi
- 30/05/202570,236 mi+2,787 mi
- 16/06/202570,236 mi
- 29/05/202672,224 mi+1,988 mi
Average of roughly 2,595 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Kia Rio (JB)
Our database tracks 3 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Good
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Approach this 2008 KIA RIO diesel with caution due to a serious MOT failure in May 2025 involving brake pipe leaks and a seriously weakened sub-frame. Although it has since passed, the corrosion issues suggest underlying structural and braking-system concerns that need professional inspection.
Given the May 2025 MOT failure for leaking and excessively corroded rear brake pipes plus a seriously weakened offside front sub-frame, insist on evidence that all recommended repairs were carried out to a professional standard. A fresh independent inspection focusing on underbody corrosion is essential before purchase. Negotiate firmly on price to reflect the risk of hidden structural issues, and request full service history to confirm routine maintenance such as timing belt and diesel filter changes.
As a 1.5-litre diesel registered in May 2008, this RIO should offer reasonable fuel economy, though no model aggregate figures are available. Road tax for an older diesel of this size is typically in a lower band but expect higher diesel fuel costs than petrol per litre. Insurance group is likely modest given the age and small family car class, and typical maintenance for a 17-year-old vehicle includes tyres, brakes, and corrosion-related repairs; estimated annual running cost is £800-£1,000.
Pay close attention to the brake pipes front to rear, which failed in May 2025 for leakage and excessive corrosion on both rear sides; confirm they have been replaced, not patched. The offside front sub-frame was noted as seriously weakened by corrosion and the rear sub-frame still shows corrosion in 2025 and 2026 passes, so inspect the underbody thoroughly on a lift. Also check the power steering pipe corrosion flagged in 2025, the offside front brake disc scoring, and the tyre sidewall cracking noted on the most recent test.
This silver 2008 KIA RIO 1.5 diesel (KM08NXS) shows relatively low mileage for its age at 72,224 miles as of May 2026. The MOT history is mostly clean apart from 2023 and 2024, but a May 2025 test revealed severe corrosion to brake pipes and the offside front sub-frame, leading to a failure. Recent passes note ongoing minor corrosion to the sub-frame, power steering pipe, and tyre perishing that should be monitored.
No aggregate MOT reliability data is available for the KIA RIO to inform a model-wide reputation.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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KIA RIO Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2008 model year cars.
- Clutch and release-bearing wearModerate
Plenty of JB Rios lead a hard urban life and need clutch work earlier than expected, especially if they have been used as cheap learner or delivery cars.
- Front lower-arm bush and drop-link wearModerate
UK roads chew through lower-arm bushes and anti-roll-bar links, leaving the Rio with an obvious front-end knock and vague tracking well before anything major fails.
- Rear brake and brake-pipe corrosionModerate
Low-value JB cars are often run on a shoestring, so rear drums or calipers and the associated brake pipes can corrode badly enough to turn an MOT into a proper bill.
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