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Kia Venga years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

46,359 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2010–2019 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

Kia Venga years with MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year: 2010–2014. Above it: 2015–2019.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

71.1%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 70.6% to 71.5%.

In 2025, 71.1% of the 46,359 initial MOT tests on Kia Venga cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 70.8%. That is about average: the difference from the same-age average is within the margin of error.

In our tables of the highest MOT pass rates by age: joint 15th of 173 cars first used in 2018.

Check a specific Venga

Its own MOT history, free.

Kia Venga MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2019age 62,63924,90088.8%±1.3+5.3 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 73,66931,40087.7%±1.2+6.8 ptsall: 80.9%
2017age 85,90238,50084.3%±1.0+6.1 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 95,65045,00079.3%±1.1+4.4 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 106,12751,60074.8%±1.2+2.9 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 115,33659,50064.1%±1.3−4.5 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 125,51166,20062.2%±1.3−3.6 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 134,79771,80058.6%±1.5−4.9 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 144,07578,90055.0%±1.6−6.2 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 152,65384,40053.9%±2.0−5.4 ptsall: 59.3%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Kia Venga first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

89.3% of Kia Venga tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 46.6% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 87.0% and 59.9%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
Under 30,0008,63189.3%±0.7+2.3 ptsall: 87.0%
30,000–59,99918,38777.1%±0.7−0.1 ptsall: 77.1%
60,000–89,99912,17760.9%±0.9−6.3 ptsall: 67.2%
90,000–119,9995,23052.5%±1.4−9.0 ptsall: 61.4%
120,000 or more1,92746.6%±2.3−13.3 ptsall: 59.9%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Venga tests were above average under 30,000 miles, about average at 30,000 to 59,999 miles and below average at 60,000 miles or more.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Kia Venga tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. 7 tests (under 0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common Venga problems at the MOT

Share of the 13,418 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a Venga

Based on the areas where Kia Venga MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 46.0% of failed Venga tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  2. Steering

    In 24.5% of failed Venga tests

    • With the engine running, turn the wheel from lock to lock. It should move smoothly and quietly.
    • On a straight, level road, the car should run straight with the steering wheel centred.

  3. Suspension

    In 22.8% of failed Venga tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

  4. Brakes

    In 20.6% of failed Venga tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Venga's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Kia Venga cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Kia Venga cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 6.5% failed on tyres, against 3.4% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 6,352 and 20,783 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory6.5%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted3.4%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 6.9% of those with a tyre advisory and 6.6% of the others.

Brakes

Of Kia Venga cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 8.7% failed on brakes, against 3.8% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 5,352 and 21,838 cars.

  • With a brake advisory8.7%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted3.8%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 7.5% of those with a brake advisory and 6.5% of the others.

Suspension

Of Kia Venga cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 16.5% failed on suspension, against 9.0% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,928 and 24,640 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory16.5%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted9.0%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 11.2% of those with a suspension advisory and 6.3% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Kia Venga questions

Which Kia Venga years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2010–2014. Above average: 2015–2019. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Kia Venga reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 71.1% of initial MOT tests on Kia Venga cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 70.8%. That is about average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Kia Venga problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 46.0% of failed tests), steering (in 24.5% of failed tests) and suspension (in 22.8% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Kia Venga?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Kia Venga cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 51,600 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Venga's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Kia Venga

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Kia models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 13 Kia modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Kia Venga cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count