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Kia Optima reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 75,621 MOT tests of cars first registered 2012–2019.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
79.6%pass first time
+2.2 ptsvs typical car
Beats 65%of cars
75,621MOT tests

Verdict

The Kia Optima passes its MOT first time on 79.6% of tests, 2.2 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (77.4%). That puts it ahead of 65% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

Better than average on lights & electrics, suspension, emissions & leaks.

Watch these weak spots

Brakes1.5×as often as a typical car
Steering1.9×as often as a typical car
Brake pads1.5×as often as a typical car
Track rod ends1.7×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

60%70%80%90%345678910111286%82%80%75%67%
Kia OptimaTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2012
Beats 43%
2013
Beats 56%
2014
Beats 56%
2015
Beats 59%
2016
Beats 84%
2017
Beats 73%
2018
Beats 71%
2019
Beats 47%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.7 Diesel2012–201860,53178.8%Beats 64%B
1.6 Diesel2018–201910,50681.4%Beats 53%C
2.0 Hybrid2016–20184,58487.0%Beats 97%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 2.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 3.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 6.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 7.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 3.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.5 ptsTyres: 6.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.4 ptsBrakes: 7.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−2.3 ptsSuspension: 2.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+2.7 ptsExhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.8 ptsSuspension: 2.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 7.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 6.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 3.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 3.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.5 ptsTyres: 6.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.4 ptsBrakes: 7.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−2.3 ptsSuspension: 2.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+2.7 ptsExhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.8 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Brakes: 7.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Brakes
7.0% vs 4.6%
Tyres
6.8% vs 6.4%
Lights & electrics
3.9% vs 7.3%
Visibility
3.6% vs 4.0%
Suspension
2.0% vs 4.8%
Steering
1.9% vs 1.0%
Emissions & leaks
1.1% vs 1.9%
Body & structure
0.5% vs 1.5%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.3%
Seat belts & airbags
0.4% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Brake pads 1.5× typical
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Track rod ends 1.7× typical
    Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
  • Brake performance 1.9× typical
    On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.
  • Handbrake performance 1.8× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

60%70%80%90%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k91%84%81%78%74%73%73%
Kia OptimaTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking4.0%3.5%1.1×
Brake pads3.5%2.3%1.5×
Tyre tread depth2.6%2.6%1.0×
Windscreen wipers2.2%2.1%1.1×
Headlight aim1.6%2.3%0.7×
Track rod ends1.3%0.8%1.7×
Windscreen washers1.2%1.7%0.7×
Brake performance1.1%0.6%1.9×
Handbrake performance1.1%0.6%1.8×
Headlight bulbs & units0.7%1.4%0.5×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm33.7
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements26.2
A tyre seriously damaged23.0
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen21.9
A tyre cords visible or damaged15.9
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements15.7
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play12.2
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen11.8
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2019 Kia Optima1 engine80.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel7,20280.8%Beats 47%C
2018 Kia Optima3 engines83.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.7 Diesel11,41982.8%Beats 70%B
1.6 Diesel3,30482.7%Beats 64%B
2.0 Hybrid1,01586.6%Beats 96%A
2017 Kia Optima2 engines82.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.7 Diesel20,94181.8%Beats 70%B
2.0 Hybrid1,61687.7%Beats 98%A
2016 Kia Optima2 engines83.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.7 Diesel7,90782.6%Beats 79%B
2.0 Hybrid1,95386.7%Beats 97%A
2015 Kia Optima1 engine77.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.7 Diesel5,45477.8%Beats 59%C
2014 Kia Optima1 engine74.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.7 Diesel5,45574.0%Beats 56%C
2013 Kia Optima1 engine70.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.7 Diesel3,06770.5%Beats 56%C
2012 Kia Optima1 engine65.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.7 Diesel6,28865.5%Beats 43%C

FAQ

What is the Kia Optima MOT pass rate?

79.6% of MOT tests on the Kia Optima were passed first time, based on 75,621 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2012–2019. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 77.4% of the time.

Is the Kia Optima reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 65% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Kia Optima?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, brake pads, tyre tread depth. Compared with similar cars, brake pads comes up 1.5× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.