2013 Kia Venga — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2013 Kia Venga passed 79.3% of its 35,248 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (21.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, steering and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.2% of tests against 7.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, position lamp and ball joint dust cover — track rod end alone was recorded 3,052 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.2% versus 8.4%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 19.1% fail against 24.4% for diesel, a 5.3-point gap across 35,248 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 26.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 16.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 4,308 |
| 2 | Steering | 7.8% | 2,764 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.3% | 2,581 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.2% | 1,467 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 1,398 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.7% | 1,302 |
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 | 3,052 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,211 |
| 3 | Ball joint dust cover | 1,580 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 1,154 |
| 5 | Washers | 1,083 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 1,005 |
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% | 9,322 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.4% | 8,945 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.7% | 5,879 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.7% | 3,400 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 3,187 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.9% | 2,095 |
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 | 3,781 | 8.4% |
| 30-60k | 14,871 | 17.6% |
| 60-90k | 11,348 | 24.7% |
| 90-120k | 3,981 | 29.2% |
| 120-150k | 968 | 32.2% |
| 150k+ | 295 | 32.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 24,285 | 19.1% |
| Diesel | 10,963 | 24.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,802 | 16.2% |
| 2022 | 6,985 | 19.0% |
| 2023 | 7,155 | 21.4% |
| 2024 | 7,220 | 23.4% |
| 2025 | 7,086 | 23.4% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Venga
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (7.8% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Suspension (7.3% 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 2013 Kia Vengas pass their MOT?
79.3% of the 35,248 2013 Kia Venga MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Kia Venga?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.2% of tests, followed by steering (7.8%).
Does the 2013 Venga get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.4% in the 0-30k band to 32.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 35,248 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.