2011 Kia Venga petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Kia Venga petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Kia Venga petrol than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Track rod ends4.6× usual
  Kia Venga

  21.5% All 2011 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 13.2%, against 2.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Ball joint dust cover3.2× usual
  Kia Venga

  8.7% All 2011 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Brake lights2.3× usual
  Kia Venga

  9.1% All 2011 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, against 3.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Side repeaters3.1× usual
  Kia Venga

  3.7% All 2011 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.8% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Flexible brake hoses2.2× usual
  Kia Venga

  3.5% All 2011 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

Common 2011 Kia Venga petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Kia Venga petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  45% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  31% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  31% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  27% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  7% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2011 Kia Venga petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Starter motors, door locks and front springs

  All engines

  Starter motors and door lock actuators are starting to fail, and broken front springs are becoming more common.

  At the viewing: Start it several times, test each door lock, and look behind the front wheels for broken springs.

  Source: CarGurus UK: Kia Venga (2009-2019) review

• Clunky four-speed automatic and stiff gear lever

  1.6 petrol automatic

  The earlier four-speed auto is clunky, and some gear levers stick from a stretched cable. The six-speed fitted after the 2015 facelift is much better.

  At the viewing: Drive it and move the lever through every position.

  Source: CarGurus UK: Kia Venga (2009-2019) review

• Rust on the rear door tops

  All engines

  Rust can start under the seal at the top of the rear doors.

  At the viewing: Open the rear doors and look under the seal.

  Source: CarGurus UK: Kia Venga (2009-2019) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Kia Venga petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the 2011 Kia Venga petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2011 Kia Venga petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2011 Kia Venga petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?