Used car guide

2012 Kia Venga: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Kia Vengas, from 4,813 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,813MOT tests in 2025

59%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)

5,500typical miles a year

4.1×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Kia Vengas than on all cars registered in 2012.

Track rod ends4.1× usual

Kia Venga
20% All 2012 cars
4.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 12.6%, against 2.4% of all 2012 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.
Ball joint dust cover3.2× usual

Kia Venga
9.3% All 2012 cars
2.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.2% of all 2012 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.
Sidelights1.8× usual

Kia Venga
8.9% All 2012 cars
5%

Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, against 4.4% of all 2012 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.
Flexible brake hoses2.6× usual

Kia Venga
3.9% All 2012 cars
1.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.
Link ball joint covers1.9× usual

Kia Venga
4.8% All 2012 cars
2.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.4% of all 2012 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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2% here, against 10.1% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Kia Venga MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

48% 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.
Brakes

33% 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

30% 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.
Lights and electrics

26% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

9% of testsRough price £15–£250

At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Exhaust and emissions

5% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2019	2,636	Tyres 27%
2018	3,666	Tyres 29%
2017	5,902	Tyres 28%
2016	5,657	Tyres 29%
2015	6,135	Tyres 30%
2014	5,339	Suspension 38%
2013	5,515	Suspension 43%
2011	4,094	Suspension 52%
2010	2,673	Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Kia Vengas registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score