2016 Kia Venga diesel: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the diesel Kia Venga first registered in 2016 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 3,756 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Kia Venga diesel?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Kia Venga diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.
- Sidelights2.9× usualKia Venga3.8% All 2016 cars1.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
- Braking performance2× usualKia Venga4.6% All 2016 cars2.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.8% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Suspension arm bushes and joints: 0.9% here, against 4.9% of all 2016 cars.
Common 2016 Kia Venga diesel MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2016 Kia Venga diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres31% 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.
- Brakes27% 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 electrics11% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Suspension6% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors6% 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 leaks3% 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 2016 Kia Venga diesel
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.
- 1.4 CRDi diesel
Throttle delay and power loss (1.4 CRDi diesel)
The 1.4 diesel can delay before accelerating and lose power. The fix is a software update, which some cars haven't had. Injectors can also fail and chatter.
At the viewing: Accelerate from low speed and feel for a delay, and ask a Kia dealer to check the update from the VIN.
- All engines
Starter motors, door locks and front springs
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.
- 1.6 petrol automatic
Clunky four-speed automatic and stiff gear lever
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.
- All engines
Rust on the rear door tops
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.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Kia Venga diesel
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the throttle software update been done?
- Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2016 Kia Venga diesel as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2016 Kia Venga diesel as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Kia Venga?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Kia Venga compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 7,834 | Tyres 22% |
| 2018 | 10,818 | Tyres 27% |
| 2017 | 17,448 | Tyres 28% |
| 2015 | 18,378 | Tyres 29% |
| 2014 | 15,974 | Suspension 32% |
| 2013 | 16,627 | Suspension 38% |
| 2012 | 14,659 | Suspension 45% |
| 2011 | 12,685 | Suspension 48% |
| 2010 | 8,584 | Suspension 50% |
| 2009 | – | Too few tests |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Kia Venga cars first registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score