Kia

Kia Venga (2016)

5,716 real MOT outcomes analysed • 87.9% first-time pass rate

2016 Kia Venga

CarHunch analysed 5,716 real MOT records for the 2016 Kia Venga. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2016 Kia Venga is more reliable than average, with an 87.9% first-time pass rate against the UK benchmark of 80%, though a quarter of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a concern worth taking seriously. Petrol versions hold a slight edge over diesel, passing at 88.4% versus 86.3%, so fuel choice matters marginally here.

These Vengas are running relatively light for their age, with a median of 28,093 miles, which explains the strong pass performance and suggests less mechanical wear than typical eight-year-old vehicles. The average of 6.5 advisories per test indicates minor maintenance niggles are common, so budget for routine fixes—get a full pre-purchase inspection and prioritise checking the suspension and brake components given the dangerous defect history.

The 2016 Kia Venga has a decent first-time pass rate (87.9%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
87.9%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
25.9%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
1.1
Over 8.1 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
28k
Middle half: 20k–39k
For context
Good baseline reliability. A 87.9% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 6.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 5,716 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 5,716 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 38%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 22.2%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Other issues 8.9%
COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 5,716 Kia Venga cars.

UK

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 2.1 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

88.4%
Petrol
4,436 vehicles
86.3%
Diesel
1,280 vehicles

Before you buy a 2016 Kia Venga

Based on MOT data from 5,716 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 25.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (78%) 4,436 88.4% 1.05
Diesel (22%) 1,280 86.3% 1.26

Colour Breakdown

Based on 49,279 Kia Venga vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 27.2%
13,401
Red 22.7%
11,169
Blue 18.6%
9,147
White 15%
7,416
Black 12.3%
6,078
Grey 4.2%
2,055
Maroon 0%
7
Gold 0%
6

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Kia Venga vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

28,093
typical
19,580
low mileage
38,512
high mileage

Half of all 2016 Kia Venga vehicles fall between 19,580 and 38,512 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 19,580 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
19,580–38,512 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Kia Vengas sit.
Over 51,991 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Kia Venga — Still on the Road

Almost all 2016 Kia Vengas are still on the road.

Strong survival — 5,514 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.

5,598 5,514 2019 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

8.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.1
Avg failures per vehicle
6.5
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Kia Venga: All Venga years → Which year to buy? →
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Compare with another model

See how the 2016 Kia Venga stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing