Kia Venga common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Kia Venga, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 139,813 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 2009 Kia Venga
Too few Kia Venga cars first registered in 2009 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Kia Venga as a whole.
What to check on a 2009 car
- MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
- Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
- Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
- Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
What usually goes wrong with a Kia Venga?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2010–2019 · 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.
- Cars registered 2010–2019 · 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.
- Cars registered 2010–2019 · 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.
- Cars registered 2010–2019 · 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.
Common Kia Venga MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Petrol
Ball joint dust cover
up to 4.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Track rod ends
up to 4.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Sidelights
up to 2.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
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.
Flexible brake hoses
up to 3.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Rough price £50–£200 our estimateAt the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.
Brake lights
up to 2.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2016.
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.
Side repeaters
up to 4.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010 and 2011.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Diesel
Track rod ends
up to 5.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Sidelights
up to 3.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
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.
Ball joint dust cover
up to 5.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Diesel smoke emissions
up to 8.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.
Flexible brake hoses
up to 7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
Rough price £50–£200 our estimateAt the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.
Braking performance
up to 2.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Kia Venga MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2018 Kia Venga did best (89% passed first time, 6 points above all 2018 cars) and the 2011 did worst (56%, 6 points below all 2011 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Kia Venga
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 ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 5.1× as often on the Kia Venga as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× as often on the Kia Venga as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the Kia Venga 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score