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MOT reliability

Kia Optima

12,381 vehicles · 97,695 completed MOT tests analysed
83%
MOT pass rate

Based on 12,381 Kia Optima vehicles and 97,695 completed MOT tests, the Kia Optima has an overall 83% pass rate, with an average recorded mileage of 90,207 miles.

12,381
Vehicles
97,695
MOT tests
10,913
Avg miles / year
1.4
Faults per test
6%
Dangerous-fault share

Kia Optima problem areas

Where faults occur most across all Kia Optima MOT tests:

  • Tyres, wheels & suspension38%
  • Brakes30%
  • Other19%
  • Visibility5%
  • Lamps & electrical4%
  • Steering2%
  • Emissions & nuisance2%
  • Identification & plates2%

Kia Optima pass rate by age

How the Kia Optima's MOT pass rate changes as it ages (buckets with 20+ tests).

Age (years)TestsPass rate
131294%
297090%
315,21988%
414,35385%
514,12585%
613,95384%
712,77583%
810,11582%
96,36980%
103,67576%
112,60473%
121,72672%
131,04770%
1434970%
151669%
16333%
17450%
18450%
19250%

Fuel types: Diesel (11,439), Hybrid Electric (Clean) (744), Petrol (197), Other (1)

Most common Kia Optima MOT faults

These are the faults and advisories recorded most often across Kia Optima MOT tests:

  1. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (5,346 times)
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (5,235 times)
  3. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) (3,942 times)
  4. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) (3,200 times)
  5. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (2,748 times)
  6. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (2,610 times)
  7. Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) (2,120 times)
  8. Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) (1,924 times)
  9. Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) (1,909 times)
  10. Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt (1,768 times)
  11. Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) (1,433 times)
  12. Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) (1,062 times)
  13. COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION (1,043 times)
  14. Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i)) (971 times)
  15. Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) (921 times)

Kia Optima pass rate by registration year

YearVehiclesTestsPass rateAvg mileage
2022 1 4 75% 35,972
2021 3 8 75% 61,873
2020 131 590 86% 74,104
2019 1,652 9,110 84% 77,949
2018 2,720 17,867 86% 85,580
2017 3,459 26,680 86% 92,399
2016 1,326 11,081 86% 90,094
2015 705 6,672 82% 93,749
2014 764 7,770 80% 97,120
2013 482 5,110 78% 102,569
2012 1,068 12,097 77% 105,076
2011 50 598 74% 102,799
2009 3 12 75% 77,601
2008 1 14 57% 180,420
2007 1 3 67% 24,012
2006 2 16 62% 84,524
2005 5 33 67% 78,797
2004 4 15 73% 51,114
2003 2 9 67% 110,733
1999 1 1 100% 114,192

Kia Optima reliability FAQ

Across 12,381 Kia Optima vehicles in our MOT data, 83% pass the MOT (a 17% failure rate), with about 1.4 faults or advisories recorded per test.

The most frequently recorded Kia Optima MOT issues are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)); Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)); Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii)).

The typical Kia Optima in our data has covered around 90,207 miles.

Compare the Kia Optima

See how the Kia Optima stacks up against other Kia models on MOT reliability:

Optima vs Sportage Optima vs Picanto Optima vs Ceed Optima vs Rio

Check a specific Kia Optima

Enter a registration to see that exact vehicle's full MOT history, advisories and recurring faults.

See all Kia models · Learn about common MOT failures · what an MOT checks