2011 Kia Venga — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 28,738 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Kia Venga, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, steering and suspension. Its pass rate of 73.5% was below the average for MPVs of a similar age (75.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.4% in the 150k+ group versus 16.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 4,262 |
| 2 | Steering | 10.8% | 3,110 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.4% | 2,698 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.4% | 2,137 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.3% | 1,241 |
| 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 | 3,504 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 2,013 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,637 |
| 4 | Ball joint dust cover | 932 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 893 |
| 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% | 8,250 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.0% | 7,756 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.7% | 6,820 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.6% | 3,327 |
| 5 | Steering | 10.2% | 2,934 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 2,783 |
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 | 1,127 | 16.8% |
| 30-60k | 8,675 | 21.4% |
| 60-90k | 11,005 | 28.1% |
| 90-120k | 5,728 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,727 | 32.0% |
| 150k+ | 473 | 32.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 17,472 | 24.4% |
| Diesel | 11,266 | 29.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,894 | 24.6% |
| 2022 | 5,829 | 25.6% |
| 2023 | 5,937 | 27.4% |
| 2024 | 5,657 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 5,421 | 27.9% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Venga
Before buying a 2011 Kia Venga, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.8% of tests for this year.
- 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 28,738 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 28,738 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.