Kia Venga MOT pass rate and common problems
79.3% of 65,361 Kia Venga MOT tests pass.
The Venga's pass rate of 79.3% is in line with the average across all Kia models, at 80.1%.
The Kia Venga's pass rate of 79.3% is in line with the national average for cars, at 79.2%.
Own this Kia Venga?
This is the average across every Kia Venga in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Kia’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Kia Venga tested at 3–6 years pass 93.5% of the time, compared with just 67.4% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 93.5% | 7,708 | 25,448 miles |
| 6–10 years | 86.1% | 30,854 | 44,500 miles |
| 10–15 years | 67.4% | 26,798 | 71,808 miles |
| 15+ years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Kia Venga
The most common reason the Kia Venga fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 50.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 50.6% | Not working |
| Brakes | 28.6% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 23.6% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Steering | 22.9% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Tyres | 18.9% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 15.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.9% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.0% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.6% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.6% | Inscription illegible |
Buying a used Kia Venga: what to check
These checks follow the Kia Venga’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Kia Venga comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 86.1% to 67.4%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 82.8% down to 69.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 50.6% of failed Kia Venga MOTs. 22.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.5% at 3–6 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 28.6% of failed Kia Venga MOTs. 11.8% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 2.5% at 3–6 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 23.6% of failed Kia Venga MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 13.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Steering
Recorded in 22.9% of failed Kia Venga MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 12.8% of tests at 10–15 years failed on steering.
The steering should feel precise, without knocks or play, and the car should run straight. Turn to full lock both ways and listen for clunks.
5. Tyres
Recorded in 18.9% of failed Kia Venga MOTs. 5.8% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres, against 2.6% at 3–6 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Kia service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Kia models
- Kia Ceed — 74.4% pass rate
- Kia Rio — 75.6% pass rate
- Kia Niro — 91.4% pass rate
- Kia Sorento — 76.9% pass rate
- Kia Stonic — 91.6% pass rate
- Kia Soul — 76.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Kia Venga?
- 79.3% of Kia Venga MOT tests pass, based on 65,361 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Kia Venga?
- The most common reason the Kia Venga fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 50.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Kia Venga?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Kia Venga are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. 22.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.5% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Kia Venga?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; steering; tyres. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Kia Venga's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Kia service history guide for how to check and keep one.