2010 Kia Venga — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2010 Kia Venga passed 72.6% of its 20,122 recorded MOT tests. Against MPVs of a similar age (25.9% fail rate), the 2010 Venga comes out 1.5pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, steering and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.0% of all tests — 4.6 points clear of steering, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, position lamp and stop lamp — track rod end alone was recorded 2,476 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.7% versus 12.9%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.8pp more often than petrol ones (30.1% vs 25.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 3,227 |
| 2 | Steering | 11.5% | 2,309 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.4% | 1,891 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.2% | 1,446 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 909 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.5% | 897 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 2,476 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,394 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 1,334 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 732 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 731 |
| 6 | Washers | 636 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 29.0% | 5,844 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.4% | 5,518 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.6% | 5,359 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 2,713 |
| 5 | Steering | 12.0% | 2,424 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.9% | 2,187 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 643 | 12.9% |
| 30-60k | 4,521 | 21.4% |
| 60-90k | 8,092 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 4,837 | 31.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,632 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 395 | 34.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 11,459 | 25.3% |
| Diesel | 8,663 | 30.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,308 | 25.9% |
| 2022 | 4,224 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 4,139 | 28.0% |
| 2024 | 3,888 | 28.3% |
| 2025 | 3,563 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Venga
On a 2010 Venga, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (11.5% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Suspension (9.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2010 Kia Vengas pass their MOT?
72.6% of the 20,122 2010 Kia Venga MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Kia Venga?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by steering (11.5%).
Does the 2010 Venga get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.9% in the 0-30k band to 34.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 20,122 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.