Kia Optima MOT pass rate and common problems
84.0% of 17,887 Kia Optima MOT tests pass.
The Optima has a pass rate of 84.0%, a little higher than the average across all Kia models (80.1%).
The Kia Optima has a pass rate of 84.0%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Kia Optima?
This is the average across every Kia Optima in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Kia’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 88.4% at 3–6 years to 69.8% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (3) | 3 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 88.4% | 5,702 | 62,481 miles |
| 6–10 years | 84.5% | 10,140 | 78,803 miles |
| 10–15 years | 69.8% | 2,035 | 99,118 miles |
| 15+ years | too few tests (7) | 7 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Kia Optima
The most common reason the Kia Optima fails its MOT is brakes — present in 48.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 48.0% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 36.7% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 20.1% | Too high |
| Visibility | 13.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Suspension | 12.8% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Steering | 8.6% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.5% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.4% | System insecure |
| Road Wheels | 2.0% | Fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.9% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Kia Optima: what to check
These checks follow the Kia Optima’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Kia Optima comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 84.5% to 69.8%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 84.0% down to 79.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Brakes
Recorded in 48.0% of failed Kia Optima MOTs. 21.7% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 5.3% at 3–6 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 36.7% of failed Kia Optima MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 20.1% of failed Kia Optima MOTs. 11.0% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.4% at 3–6 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 13.9% of failed Kia Optima MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 12.8% of failed Kia Optima MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 13.7% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Kia service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Kia models
- Kia Soul — 76.9% pass rate
- Kia Xceed — 90.9% pass rate
- Kia Carens — 70.5% pass rate
- Kia Proceed — 84.0% pass rate
- Kia Sedona — 62.3% pass rate
- Kia Stinger — 91.8% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Kia Optima?
- 84.0% of Kia Optima MOT tests pass, based on 17,887 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Kia Optima?
- The most common reason the Kia Optima fails its MOT is brakes — present in 48.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
- What are the common problems with the Kia Optima?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Kia Optima are brakes; tyres; lights and electrics. 21.7% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 5.3% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Kia Optima?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: brakes; tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; suspension. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Kia Optima's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Kia service history guide for how to check and keep one.