Small car · 2009–2019 cars
Kia Venga reliability
The Kia Venga fails 26% of first MOT tests, 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 155,504 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Kia Venga before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 26%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 15% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 155,504
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Venga's first-time MOT fail rate is 26%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 15% more MOT fails, and it ranks 25 of 63 small car models. The weakest year is 2012, with 29% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 2018 is the best, with 9% fewer. Steering is the weak spot, with 426% more fails than comparable cars.
A Venga can still be a good buy if you check the right things. Look for a 2018 car if you can. Check the track rod end ball joints for excessive wear, the most common failure at 4.94% of tests. Then test the position lamps, stop lamps and wipers, which fail at 3.78%, 2.47% and 1.76% of tests. On a test drive, check the steering feels right.
MOT fail rate by age
How the Kia Venga ages
Each point is the share of Kia Vengas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Kia Venga | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 11.7% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 11.8% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 14.4% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 18.4% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 24.1% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 31.2% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 36.5% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 40.6% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 44.2% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 45% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 46.1% | 41.1% |
By year
The best and worst Kia Venga years
2018 cars come out best and 2012 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Venga | 7,217 | 11% | 3% more fails | 17,726 |
| 2018 Venga | 12,402 | 11% | 9% fewer fails | 22,221 |
| 2017 Venga | 19,800 | 14% | 4% fewer fails | 28,474 |
| 2016 Venga | 18,839 | 16.1% | 7% fewer fails | 34,990 |
| 2015 Venga | 20,502 | 19.7% | 3% fewer fails | 41,677 |
| 2014 Venga | 17,646 | 28.5% | 20% more fails | 49,816 |
| 2013 Venga | 18,391 | 34.2% | 27% more fails | 56,141 |
| 2012 Venga | 16,311 | 39% | 29% more fails | 62,854 |
| 2011 Venga | 14,315 | 43.1% | 28% more fails | 70,772 |
| 2010 Venga | 9,996 | 44.6% | 23% more fails | 77,662 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Kia Venga
Its weak spot is steering: 426% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics10.9%43% above avg
- Steering6.2%426% above avg
- Suspension5.3%15% below avg
- Brakes5.2%14% above avg
- Tyres4.7%12% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.5%18% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.3%31% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure1%47% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.5%3% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 4.94% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Position lamp not working 3.78% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Stop lamp not working 2.47% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.76% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.72% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 6
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.37% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 7
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.35% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 8
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed 1.22% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Kia Venga's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit12.32%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking10.12%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.5%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.04%
- Track rod ball joint slight play3.07%
- Brake discs showing some wear2.47%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Kia Venga
- 1
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Kia Venga covers about 5,700 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol75.8%
- Diesel24.2%
- LPG0%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
Silver, Red, Blue, White, Black
Average engine size: 1.5 litres.
Compare
How the Kia Venga compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Fusion | 40.6% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Venga | 26% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 206 | 48.5% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford B-Max | 27.2% | 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat Punto | 44.5% | 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën DS3 | 46% | 51% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| DS3 | 29.1% | 59% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Kia models.
Questions
Kia Venga questions, answered
Is the Kia Venga reliable?
On MOT results, the Kia Venga is below average: it fails 26% of first MOT tests, 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 25 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Kia Venga MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Kia Venga are track rod end ball joint excessively worn (4.94% of tests), position lamp not working (3.78% of tests), stop lamp not working (2.47% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 10.9% of its tests.
Which Kia Venga year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2018 cars do best (9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2012 cars do worst (29% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Kia Venga do a year?
A typical Kia Venga covers about 5,700 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Kia Venga before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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