Used Kia Rio Hatchback 2001 - 2005 reliability review

Name: Used Kia Rio Hatchback 2001 - 2005
Rating: 2
Author: Stuart Milne

Spacious and cheap, but bland in too many ways

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What should I look for in a used Kia Rio?

Kia has demonstrated a so-so record for reliability in recent years. The Korean firm wasn't included in the last What Car? Reliability Survey, but it managed mid-table respectability in the most recent JD Power customer satisfaction survey.

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The Rio did Kia no favours in the study, though, scoring poorly for mechanical reliability and finishing too near the bottom of the table for comfort. Problems with the suspension, the engine and the ventilation system were the main areas of complaint.

Kia also issued two recalls on the car, so check the service history to see whether the car you're looking at was affected and whether the repair work has been carried out. Cars with ABS built between November 2002 and March 2003 needed to have their braking systems reprogrammed, while all cars built before March 2004 needed to be checked for a potential fuel leak.

Tips & Advice

Check for outstanding recalls

Many cars are recalled so that faults can be put right. Recall work shouldn’t cost you a penny, and they’ll make your car safer or more mechanically robust. Checking if your car has been recalled is easy

Choose the right breakdown cover

You may already have a breakdown policy through your home insurance or new-car warranty so check to avoid paying twice

Make sure you have warranty cover

New cars usually have warranties that last between three and seven years that can help cover the cost of mechanical faults. But this protection can last longer with an extended warranty

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About the writer

Name: Stuart Milne

Title: Digital editor

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Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.

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