2016 KIA Venga 1.6L Petrol · PJ66 WMP

This Venga's mechanical story is dominated by a chronic and progressive brake wear issue that has now escalated into a genuine safety failure. The most recent test on 22 July 2026 recorded a pass, but only after a failure just one day earlier on 21 July 2026, where the parking brake efficiency was deemed below requirements. Compounding that, the test centre flagged both front brake discs as worn, both front brake pads as wearing thin, and both rear brake discs as worn and lipped. The pattern is clearly worsening rather than improving. The previous year's test in July 2025 noted front brake pads at 70 percent worn alongside disc wear, and the year before that in July 2024 returned a clean pass with no recorded defects. The two most recent advisories on the rear shock absorbers, showing slight external casing damage on both sides with lipping, are a further concern that has emerged only in the current testing cycle, suggesting the rear damping units are now also nearing the end of their service life. With the 2016 Venga showing just 41,877 miles over a ten-year span, the recorded annual accumulation is roughly 4,188 miles, which is well below average for a vehicle of this age. Such modest mileage typically reflects either very light genuine use or extended periods of inactivity, and this is consistent with the MOT record showing no gaps in testing history but no rapid mileage jumps either. Mechanically, low annual mileage can be a double-edged sword. The braking components clearly show that they have been used sufficiently to wear to their limits, but the fact that pads and discs have worn to advisory level over a decade rather than a few years suggests they may well be the original units, or at least long-standing. Equally, low-mileage vehicles that spend long periods stationary are prone to corrosion in brake pistons, seized caliper sliders, and deterioration of rubber suspension components, all of which can manifest even when annual mileage is low. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is a thorough brake system overhaul. Given that front discs, front pads, rear discs, and rear pads have all been flagged as worn or thinning within the same testing cycle, it would be prudent to budget for a full axle brake refresh including discs and pads at both ends, and critically, to investigate the parking brake mechanism. The parking brake failing efficiency on test could be due to stretched cables, seized rear caliper mechanisms, or worn drum-in-hat assemblies depending on the rear configuration, and this should be physically inspected and adjusted by a garage before purchase. The rear shock absorbers showing external casing damage on both sides warrants a road test over uneven surfaces to listen for clonking noises from the rear and to feel for excessive bounce or poor damping control. On a test drive, pay particular attention to pedal feel, any pulling to one side under braking, and whether the handbrake holds the vehicle securely on an incline. Beyond the braking system, the inner-edge tyre wear noted on both front tyres in the 2023 test should be addressed through a current inspection of the front wheel geometry. Uneven inner-edge wear on a front axle can indicate worn suspension bushes, bottom ball joints, or tracking misalignment, all of which are worth checking by hand on a ramp or by a fast-fit centre before committing to purchase. With this vehicle now ten years old, it is also sensible to verify the condition of the coolant, brake fluid, and any visible under-bonnet hoses for perishing, even though no advisories were raised in these areas. Overall, while the structural and corrosion record is clean, the brake-related advisories culminating in a parking brake failure mean this Venga should be viewed as a car requiring immediate mechanical investment rather than a turnkey purchase.