2012 Kia Venga — MOT failures & pass rate
32,444 MOT tests on the 2012 Kia Venga are in this dataset, and 75.8% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (22.7% fail rate), the 2012 Venga comes out 1.5pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and steering.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.0%) and suspension (10.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, position lamp and coil spring — track rod end alone was recorded 3,516 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.1% in the 0-30k band and 31.8% in the 150k+ band, a 20.7-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.9pp more often than petrol ones (27.7% vs 22.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 26.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 21.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 3,892 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.0% | 3,237 |
| 3 | Steering | 9.6% | 3,097 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.9% | 1,920 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 1,292 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.7% | 1,201 |
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 | 3,516 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,199 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 1,069 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 1,014 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 982 |
| 6 | Washers | 977 |
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 | 26.5% | 8,595 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.8% | 8,037 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.3% | 6,914 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.6% | 3,120 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.9% | 2,251 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.8% | 2,205 |
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 | 1,901 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 12,378 | 20.1% |
| 60-90k | 11,871 | 26.8% |
| 90-120k | 4,773 | 31.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,174 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 346 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 23,292 | 22.8% |
| Diesel | 9,148 | 27.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,450 | 21.5% |
| 2022 | 6,519 | 22.9% |
| 2023 | 6,616 | 25.2% |
| 2024 | 6,491 | 25.4% |
| 2025 | 6,368 | 26.0% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Venga
On a 2012 Venga, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.0% 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.
- Steering (9.6% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 2012 Kia Vengas pass their MOT?
75.8% of the 32,444 2012 Kia Venga MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Kia Venga?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.0% of tests, followed by suspension (10.0%).
Does the 2012 Venga get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 32,444 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.