2012 Kia Venga: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Kia Venga?

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

• Track rod ends4.7× usual
  Kia Venga

  20.1% All 2012 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 13.1%, against 2.2% 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 cover3.5× usual
  Kia Venga

  8.3% All 2012 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.1% 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

  8.4% All 2012 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.1%, against 4.1% 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 hoses3× usual
  Kia Venga

  3.6% All 2012 cars

  1.2%

  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 covers2× usual
  Kia Venga

  4% All 2012 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.1% 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.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2012 Kia Venga MOT failures and advisories

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
  45% 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
  32% 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
  29% 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
  25% 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
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  5% 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.

Known faults on the 2012 Kia Venga

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Throttle delay and power loss (1.4 CRDi diesel)

  1.4 CRDi diesel

  The 1.4 diesel can delay before accelerating and lose power. The fix is a software update, which some cars haven't had. Injectors can also fail and chatter.

  At the viewing: Accelerate from low speed and feel for a delay, and ask a Kia dealer to check the update from the VIN.

  Source: CarGurus UK: Kia Venga (2009-2019) review

• Starter motors, door locks and front springs

  All engines

  Starter motors and door lock actuators are starting to fail, and broken front springs are becoming more common.

  At the viewing: Start it several times, test each door lock, and look behind the front wheels for broken springs.

  Source: CarGurus UK: Kia Venga (2009-2019) review

• Clunky four-speed automatic and stiff gear lever

  1.6 petrol automatic

  The earlier four-speed auto is clunky, and some gear levers stick from a stretched cable. The six-speed fitted after the 2015 facelift is much better.

  At the viewing: Drive it and move the lever through every position.

  Source: CarGurus UK: Kia Venga (2009-2019) review

• Rust on the rear door tops

  All engines

  Rust can start under the seal at the top of the rear doors.

  At the viewing: Open the rear doors and look under the seal.

  Source: CarGurus UK: Kia Venga (2009-2019) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Kia Venga

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the throttle software update been done?
2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 4.7× as often on the 2012 Kia Venga as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2012 Kia Venga as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2012 Kia Venga as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?