Large family car · 1999–2021 cars
Kia Optima reliability
The Kia Optima fails 19.8% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 38,841 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Kia Optima before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 19.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 9% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 38,841
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 10,400
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Kia Optima ages
Each point is the share of Kia Optimas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Kia Optima | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 16.9% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 16.3% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 16% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 17.7% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 19% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 23.7% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 31.3% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 34.7% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 35.1% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 40.3% | 37.3% |
By year
The best and worst Kia Optima years
2016 cars come out best and 2012 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 243 | 15.2% | 7% fewer fails | 48,508 |
| 2019 Optima | 4,644 | 16.9% | 2% more fails | 48,347 |
| 2018 Optima | 9,537 | 16.1% | 11% fewer fails | 54,621 |
| 2017 Optima | 11,700 | 17.2% | 17% fewer fails | 63,419 |
| 2016 Optima | 4,388 | 17.2% | 23% fewer fails | 65,182 |
| 2015 Optima | 2,298 | 22.5% | 11% fewer fails | 71,014 |
| 2014 Optima | 2,145 | 29.9% | 4% more fails | 79,911 |
| 2013 Optima | 1,218 | 30% | 7% fewer fails | 88,987 |
| 2012 Optima | 2,535 | 38.1% | 9% more fails | 92,527 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Kia Optima
Its weak spot is steering: 103% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Brakes7%54% above avg
- Tyres6.6%7% above avg
- Lights and electrics3.6%49% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.5%4% below avg
- Suspension2%57% below avg
- Steering1.9%103% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.1%42% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.5%67% below avg
- Wheels0.4%30% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.04% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.21% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.01% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.34% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 5
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.33% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 6
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 0.98% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 7
Headlamp aim set too high 0.68% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 8
Service brake excessively binding 0.64% of tests
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Kia Optima's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit15.3%
- Brake pads wearing thin10.88%
- Brake disc pitted or scored6.88%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.26%
- Child seat limits belt inspection2.74%
- Brake discs showing some wear2.51%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Kia Optima
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Kia Optima covers about 10,400 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel92.3%
- Hybrid6.9%
- Petrol0.8%
Most common colours
Black, White, Silver, Blue, Red
Average engine size: 1.7 litres.
Compare
How the Kia Optima compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen CC | 25.1% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Saab 9-5 | 35.9% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Optima | 19.8% | 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 508 | 28.2% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Rover 75 | 42.5% | about average for its age |
| Peugeot 407 | 46.1% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Laguna | 45.8% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every large family car ranked in the large family car reliability index, or all Kia models.
Questions
Kia Optima questions, answered
Is the Kia Optima reliable?
On MOT results, the Kia Optima is about average: it fails 19.8% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 13 of 29 large family car models in our index.
What fails most on a Kia Optima MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Kia Optima are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (3.04% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.21% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.01% of tests). By area, brakes fails 7% of its tests.
Which Kia Optima year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2012 cars do worst (9% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Kia Optima do a year?
A typical Kia Optima covers about 10,400 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Kia Optima before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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