Photo: Tomash, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Overlaet, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Overlaet, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Overlaet, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Citadine à chaîne de distribution, 5 étoiles Euro NCAP en 2011 et 288 litres de coffre. Caradisiac juge la fiabilité bonne, seuls l'embrayage et quelques défauts de finition étant vraiment notables. Un rappel frein/ABS (risque d'incendie) vise les Rio fabriquées jusqu'en mars 2017 : faites vérifier qu'il a été effectué.
- Reliability
- 4.0/5
- Indicative prices
- €4,300 – €7,990
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.2 85.
1.2 85
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 85 hp · 5.0 L/100 km · 114 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
Quatre-cylindres atmosphérique de 85 ch, boîte manuelle, 5,0 l/100 km et 114 g/km de CO2 (fiche L'argus). Distribution par chaîne.
1.4 109
Petrol · Manual · 109 hp · 5.7 L/100 km · 130 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
Quatre-cylindres de 109 ch, boîte manuelle, 5,7 l/100 km et 130 g/km de CO2 (fiche L'argus, finition Sport 2012).
1.4 CRDi 90
Diesel · Manual · 90 hp · 4.3 L/100 km · 113 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2
Diesel de 90 ch, boîte manuelle, 4,3 l/100 km et 113 g/km de CO2 (fiche L'argus). Entretien tous les 30 000 km ou 2 ans selon Caradisiac.
Market prices
€4,300 – €7,990
Indicative range: 2012 à 2016, médianes par année de 23 annonces en ligne relevées par AutoUncle (années d'au moins 3 annonces).
Collected on 28 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Prices down 6% since the 21 October 2026 survey.
Importing this model
Prices abroad
Yearly medians of each country's listings (AutoScout24, in euros; United Kingdom: cinch dealer, in pounds), over years with at least 3 listings. Useful to judge an import (add transport, inspection and registration).
| Country | Range | Median | Gap vs France | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | €4,300 – €7,990 (2012 to 2016) | €6,100 | — | — |
| Germany | €3,950 – €8,940 (2012 to 2016) | €5,436 | -11 % | 114 |
| Belgium | €4,350 – €7,000 (2012 to 2016) | €5,250 | -14 % | 52 |
| Spain | €7,237 – €8,490 (2012 to 2016) | €7,690 | +26 % | 81 |
| Italy | €3,750 – €7,375 (2012 to 2016) | €5,500 | -10 % | 131 |
Median gap shown only when the country's estimate covers the same years as the French one. Add transport, roadworthiness test and registration.
You are importing the car to:
Import penalty (malus) in France
- Emissions of the versions in this guide: 113 to 130 g CO₂/km (check the value on the car's registration certificate).
- The CO₂ malus follows the scale of the year the vehicle was first registered, in France or abroad (WLTP or NEDC scale depending on its registration certificate).
- For an imported used car, it is reduced by a flat-rate discount based on its age in months (scheme in force since 1 March 2025). The weight malus also applies on first registration in France.
- The malus is zero for a car more than fifteen years old or first registered before 1 January 2015.
Source: BOFiP (French tax doctrine), CO₂ and weight malus · CO2 malus and weight malus: imported used car in France
Paperwork and procedures
- Importing a used car from another EU country: the step-by-step process
- Importing a car from an EU country: all the documents to gather
- Carte grise for an imported car: cost, taxes and the official simulator
- CO2 malus and weight malus: imported used car in France
- Importing a used car from outside the European Union: the steps
- Buying a used car in Germany and bringing it back to France
- Buying a used car in Belgium and bringing it back to France
- Buying a used car in Spain and bringing it back to France
- Buying a used car in Italy and bringing it back to France
Importing and registering in Belgium: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing and registering in Switzerland: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing a car into Switzerland: customs, tax and registration
Importing and registering in Luxembourg: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing and registering in the United Kingdom: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Check an imported car's history
HistoVec only covers the vehicle's life in France. For a car coming from abroad, a VIN-based report helps spot inconsistent mileage or a reported accident.
Check the car's history: 20% off → (new tab)Partner link
Known faults
Note: some faults below are cited by a single source only. They are still to be confirmed and the reliability score is only indicative.
Rupture de ressort de suspension
Severity 3/3 · SeriousCarWise (site britannique) classe la rupture de ressort hélicoïdal (codes JB, UB et YB) parmi les problèmes les plus sérieux de la Rio, avec une réparation de 150 à 250 livres chez un garagiste indépendant. Source unique.
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
- Versions
- 1.2 85, 1.4 109, 1.4 CRDi 90
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Embrayage fragile
Severity 2/3 · CostlyCaradisiac cite l'embrayage parmi les seuls soucis vraiment notables de la Rio III. CarVerif en fait le premier poste de dépense, avec un kit d'embrayage autour de 650 € en moyenne à 110 000 km sur le 1.2. Des propriétaires cités par Fiches-auto rapportent un kit remplacé après 70 000 km, ou un embrayage changé une fois puis une deuxième sur un 1.2 de 60 000 km.
- Versions
- 1.2 85, 1.4 109, 1.4 CRDi 90
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Capteur de pression d'huile (2011-2012)
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingSelon CarVerif, les millésimes 2011-2012 ont un capteur de pression d'huile fragile : le voyant rouge s'allume à chaud sans défaut réel, vers 45 000 km en moyenne, et le remplacement du capteur coûte environ 180 €. Source unique.
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
- Versions
- 1.2 85
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
Manufacturer recall campaign, fixed free of charge at a dealer:
- Module ABS : rappel pour risque d'incendie (1.2 85, 1.4 109, 1.4 CRDi 90)
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Kia Rio”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Inspection checklist
Kia Rio III — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Faire vérifier au numéro de série, chez un concessionnaire Kia, que le rappel frein/ABS de 2025 a été effectué.
- Essayer l'embrayage à froid et à chaud : broutement, point de patinage, vibrations par temps humide.
- Inspecter les ressorts de suspension et écouter les bruits de train roulant à l'essai.
- Sur un exemplaire 2011-2012, demander si le capteur de pression d'huile a été remplacé.
- Exiger le carnet d'entretien (essence : tous les 15 000 km ou un an ; diesel : tous les 30 000 km ou 2 ans) et vérifier le reliquat de garantie 7 ans.
Questions to ask the seller
- Le rappel du module ABS (risque d'incendie) a-t-il été effectué ? Avez-vous l'attestation ?
- L'embrayage a-t-il été remplacé, et à quel kilométrage ?
- Le voyant de pression d'huile s'est-il déjà allumé ?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hyundai i20
II · 2014–2020
- Price
- €6,900 – €10,800
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Overlaet, CC BY-SA 3.0
Renault Clio
IV · 2012–2019
- Price
- €8,000 – €9,500
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Polo
V · 2009–2017
- Price
- €5,250 – €10,040
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peugeot 208
I · 2012–2019
- Price
- €3,500 – €6,100
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opel Corsa
D · 2006–2014
- Price
- €2,450 – €4,490
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Herranderssvensson, CC BY-SA 3.0
Ford Fiesta
VII · 2017–2023
- Price
- €9,000 – €15,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Kia Rio III (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
La Kia Rio III est-elle fiable ?
Caradisiac juge sa fiabilité bonne : seuls l'embrayage et quelques défauts de finition sont vraiment notables. Un rappel frein/ABS pour risque d'incendie vise les exemplaires fabriqués jusqu'en mars 2017.
Quel est le volume du coffre de la Kia Rio III ?
288 litres selon les fiches techniques L'argus.
Quelle note la Kia Rio III a-t-elle obtenue à l'Euro NCAP ?
Cinq étoiles en 2011, avec 92 % en protection adulte, selon Autozine, et l'ESC de série dans tous les pays européens.
Found a listing?
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