KIA Optima MOT failures and reliability
In 2023 the KIA Optima took 11,539 MOT tests in Britain and passed 80% of them first time, above the national average of 71% for all cars. The figures below come from the DVSA's record of every test, so they show what testers actually found on these cars rather than what owners report.
- MOT tests in 2023
- 11,539
- First-time pass rate
- 80%
- All cars
- 71%
What the Optima fails on
Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.
- Tyres7.0% (all cars 6.4%)
- Brakes6.9% (all cars 6.8%)
- Lights and electrics3.9% (all cars 11.3%)
- Visibility3.8% (all cars 4.8%)
- Steering1.8% (all cars 1.8%)
- Suspension1.8% (all cars 9.0%)
- Exhaust and emissions1.1% (all cars 3.1%)
- Body and structure0.5% (all cars 3.5%)
Most common failure items
Share of tests on which each item was recorded.
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick 3.7%
- Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2.6%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively 2.3%
- Tyres, condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.7%
- Tyres, condition: has ply or cords exposed 1.6%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play 1.1%
- Headlamp aim: too high 0.9%
- Service brake performance: excessively binding 0.9%
Most common advisories
- Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 20.4%
- Brake pads: wearing thin 13.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened 8.5%
- Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 6.2%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively 3.3%
- Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt 3.0%
- Service brake performance: binding but not excessively 2.2%
- Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre 2.1%
Pass rate by year of registration
Older cars fail more often whatever the model, so compare a car with others of the same age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 714 | 62% |
| 2013 | 347 | 70% |
| 2014 | 598 | 69% |
| 2015 | 627 | 75% |
| 2016 | 1,284 | 83% |
| 2017 | 3,328 | 82% |
| 2018 | 2,736 | 83% |
| 2019 | 1,704 | 81% |
Typical mileage by age
Average odometer reading at the MOT, by the car's age in years at the test.
| Age at test | Average mileage |
|---|---|
| 3 years | 44,804 miles |
| 4 years | 49,645 miles |
| 5 years | 59,134 miles |
| 6 years | 68,218 miles |
| 7 years | 69,768 miles |
| 8 years | 75,762 miles |
| 9 years | 83,591 miles |
| 10 years | 91,747 miles |
| 11 years | 96,101 miles |
Check a particular Optima
Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.
Other KIA models
- KIA Sportage
- KIA Picanto
- KIA Ceed
- KIA RIO
- KIA Niro
- KIA Venga
- KIA Sorento
- KIA Soul
- KIA Stonic
- KIA Carens
- KIA Sedona
- KIA Proceed
- KIA Xceed 3 ISG
- KIA Xceed 2 ISG
- KIA Stinger
Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.