Is the Kia Rio ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 98,477 MOT tests, around 81% of Kia Rios still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 13% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 6%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 78% petrol, 22% diesel. Every petrol Rio in the data (2002 onwards) is likely to be compliant. Diesel Rios are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 81%
- Likely charged
- 13%
- Depends on the car
- 6%
- MOT tests analysed
- 98,477
Check a specific Rio
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
Rio ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many Rios of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant78 tested | – |
| 2020 | Likely compliant3,209 tested | – |
| 2019 | Likely compliant4,847 tested | – |
| 2018 | Likely compliant5,510 tested | Likely compliant241 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant6,567 tested | Likely compliant1,566 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant7,273 tested | Likely compliant1,636 tested |
| 2015 | Likely compliant9,313 tested | Check exact car2,096 tested |
| 2014 | Likely compliant8,452 tested | Check exact car2,673 tested |
| 2013 | Likely compliant7,328 tested | Likely charged2,861 tested |
| 2012 | Likely compliant6,526 tested | Likely charged2,755 tested |
| 2011 | Likely compliant5,632 tested | Likely charged1,604 tested |
| 2010 | Likely compliant4,419 tested | Likely charged2,147 tested |
| 2009 | Likely compliant3,926 tested | Likely charged1,326 tested |
| 2008 | Likely compliant1,446 tested | Likely charged883 tested |
| 2007 | Likely compliant749 tested | Likely charged657 tested |
| 2006 | Likely compliant600 tested | Likely charged546 tested |
| 2005 | Check Euro standard443 tested | Likely charged205 tested |
| 2004 | Check Euro standard371 tested | – |
| 2003 | Check Euro standard227 tested | – |
| 2002 | Check Euro standard122 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the Rio
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Petrol (78% of Rios tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Diesel (22% of Rios tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
Rios from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (6% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Kia can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how Rios fare at the MOT too: see the Kia Rio MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Kia Rio for London: what the MOT data shows
The Kia Rios in this data were first registered between 2002 and 2021. 2015 was the most common year, with 11,409 tests (12% of the total), and half were registered in 2014 or later.
Rios from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 72% of the time, at an average of 57,140 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 58% of the time with 79,077 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest petrol Rios likely to comply are from 2006. 600 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 52% of the time and averaged 90,491 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest diesel Rios likely to comply are from 2016. 1,636 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 80% of the time and averaged 45,784 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the Rio's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (5.4% of tests); visibility: "does not clear the windscreen effectively" (3.2%); steering: "ball joint has excessive play" (3.1%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 16.6% of tests.
Overall, 70% of Rios passed first time, slightly below the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 60,314 miles on average, fewer than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Kia models
About this data
Based on 98,477 first MOT tests of the Kia Rio carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 98,477 MOT tests say about the Kia Rio and London's ULEZ.
Is the Kia Rio ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 81% of Rios on the road are likely compliant and 13% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol Rio years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol Rios first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel Rio ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel Rios from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific Rio is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- Buying a used car · 6 min readHow to check if a car has been clocked using MOT mileage historyWinding back an odometer takes minutes with a laptop, but every MOT logs the reading publicly. A step-by-step method, with worked examples, for spotting the gaps.Read the guide
Is your Rio ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.