2011 Kia Venga — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 28,765 MOT tests, the 2011 Kia Venga recorded a 73.5% pass rate. That is 2.1 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 24.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, steering and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests against 10.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, stop lamp and position lamp — track rod end alone was recorded 3,506 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.4% versus 16.8%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 24.4% fail against 29.6% for diesel, a 5.2-point gap across 28,765 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 28.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 24.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 4,268 |
| 2 | Steering | 10.8% | 3,112 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.4% | 2,699 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.4% | 2,142 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.3% | 1,243 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.1% | 1,174 |
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 | 3,506 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 2,016 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,638 |
| 4 | Ball joint dust cover | 932 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 895 |
| 6 | Washers | 831 |
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 | 28.7% | 8,270 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.0% | 7,762 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.7% | 6,826 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.6% | 3,334 |
| 5 | Steering | 10.2% | 2,934 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 2,792 |
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 | 1,131 | 16.8% |
| 30-60k | 8,690 | 21.4% |
| 60-90k | 11,005 | 28.1% |
| 90-120k | 5,728 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,735 | 32.0% |
| 150k+ | 473 | 32.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 17,499 | 24.4% |
| Diesel | 11,266 | 29.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,898 | 24.6% |
| 2022 | 5,836 | 25.6% |
| 2023 | 5,942 | 27.4% |
| 2024 | 5,664 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 5,425 | 27.9% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Venga
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (10.8% 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 2011 Kia Vengas pass their MOT?
73.5% of the 28,765 2011 Kia Venga MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Kia Venga?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by steering (10.8%).
Does the 2011 Venga get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.8% in the 0-30k band to 32.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,765 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.