2011 KIA Venga 1.6L Petrol · FD61 FKE

The 2011 Kia Venga holds a current MOT that passed on 2 December 2025 at 61,308 miles, but the maintenance trend is mixed rather than clearly improving. The same test initially failed that day due to excessive play in the nearside front track rod end ball joint, a defect that had been flagged as slight play in both the December 2024 and December 2023 tests. This progression from slight play over three consecutive years to outright failure indicates a worsening wear pattern on the steering linkage that was repaired just in time to pass the retest. Tyre condition advisories for cracking and perishing have appeared at every single test since 2023, suggesting the vehicle has spent extended periods stationary with tyres sitting under load. The record shows no evidence of structural corrosion, exhaust emissions failures, or major mechanical breakdowns, which is reassuring for a vehicle of this age. At 61,308 miles from new, the Venga has covered roughly 4,087 miles per year over its fifteen-year life, placing it well below the UK average annual mileage of around 7,000 to 8,000 miles. The MOT history shows a gap of approximately 3,380 miles between the December 2023 test at 54,250 miles and the December 2024 test at 57,630 miles, then only a further 3,678 miles to the December 2025 test at 61,308 miles. This modest annual accumulation points to short-journey or intermittent use rather than sustained daily driving. Low mileage alone does not guarantee condition, as prolonged standing accelerates rubber component degradation, which the recurring tyre advisories confirm. A buyer should inspect the front suspension and steering with particular care. The nearside track rod end has shown progressive wear across three consecutive MOT cycles, and the December 2023 failure flagged a deteriorated anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover on the same corner. These components sit in a vulnerable position exposed to road spray and grit, and their deterioration pattern suggests the front end has not received preventative attention. Check for uneven tyre wear on the inner edges, which would confirm ongoing misalignment from worn joints. The rear braking system also warrants close inspection. Both the December 2023 and December 2024 tests flagged corroded rear brake pipes covered in grease or material, along with worn and pitted rear brake discs. Corroded brake pipes are a structural safety concern, not merely a cosmetic one, and the fact that the same advisory appeared two years running suggests the pipes may have been cleaned rather than replaced. Have a technician verify pipe integrity and disc thickness before purchase. Tyre condition remains a recurring theme. Cracking and perishing advisories appeared on the nearside front and offside rear in 2024 and again on the same positions in 2025, with the offside rear also flagged in 2023. This pattern across multiple test cycles and multiple axles points to age-related degradation rather than a single puncture event. On a vehicle this age, tyres should be assumed to be near or past their recommended six-to-ten-year service life regardless of remaining tread depth. Budget for a full tyre replacement and a fresh four-wheel alignment to address the underlying suspension wear that has been developing over the past three years.