Kia Venga: what fails at MOT
62,000 MOT tests on the Kia Venga in 2024, counted. 26.6% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
26.6% of Kia Venga tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 25.7%, so the Venga is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (8.7% of tests), steering (4.9% of tests) and suspension (4.3% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics and steering more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3,958 | 9.8% | 13.4% | 20,100 13,000 to 29,300 |
| 2018 | 5,039 | 10.6% | 15.6% | 26,500 17,700 to 36,600 |
| 2017 | 7,984 | 14.0% | 18.2% | 32,300 22,900 to 45,600 |
| 2016 | 7,460 | 18.2% | 21.3% | 39,900 27,600 to 54,600 |
| 2015 | 8,024 | 22.1% | 24.4% | 46,100 32,700 to 62,900 |
| 2014 | 6,775 | 30.7% | 27.7% | 54,500 38,700 to 72,900 |
| 2013 | 7,012 | 37.3% | 30.6% | 60,700 43,500 to 81,200 |
| 2012 | 6,220 | 39.7% | 33.4% | 67,400 49,900 to 87,700 |
| 2011 | 5,502 | 43.4% | 36.1% | 74,800 55,600 to 97,100 |
| 2010 | 3,739 | 45.7% | 38.6% | 82,200 62,900 to 101,900 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Kia Venga tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Venga | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 8.7% | 6.6% |
| Steering More than most | 4.9% | 1.2% |
| Suspension | 4.3% | 5.5% |
| Brakes | 4.2% | 4.0% |
| Tyres | 3.6% | 4.3% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.3% | 2.8% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 1.0% | 1.8% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 0.9% | 1.8% |
The parts that fail most
- Track rod end4.6%
- Side light3.5%
- Brake light2.6%
- Seat belt2.5%
- Washers2.1%
- Headlamp aim1.7%
- Brake pads1.7%
- Ball joint dust cover1.5%
- Tyre tread1.2%
- Wipers1.1%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.2%
- Side light: not working3.4%
- Brake light: not working2.3%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
- Ball joint dust cover: no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.2%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.2%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.1%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements0.8%
- Washers: not working0.8%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.6%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened8.4%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.1%
- Track rod end: ball joint has slight play2.7%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material2.4%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.3%
- Coil spring: corroded2.2%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Kia Venga's own MOT record
Looking at a Venga? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.