Used car guide

2010 Kia Venga: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Kia Vengas, from 2,673 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,673MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
5,700typical miles a year
3.9×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Kia Vengas than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Track rod ends3.9× usual
    Kia Venga
    21.2% All 2010 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.6%, against 2.7% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Side repeaters5.3× usual
    Kia Venga
    7.4% All 2010 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 0.9% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Steering rack6.2× usual
    Kia Venga
    6.8% All 2010 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.5% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.3× usual
    Kia Venga
    8.8% All 2010 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.6% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Brake lights2× usual
    Kia Venga
    9.6% All 2010 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 3.8% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3.8% here, against 11% of all 2010 cars.

By area

The share of 2010 Kia Venga MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    53% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    38% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    36% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    31% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Steering
    14% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    14% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Kia Venga?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20192,636Tyres 27%
20183,666Tyres 29%
20175,902Tyres 28%
20165,657Tyres 29%
20156,135Tyres 30%
20145,339Suspension 38%
20135,515Suspension 43%
20124,813Suspension 48%
20114,094Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Kia Vengas registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score