Kia Optima Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kia Optima car check
Is the Kia Optima reliable? We analysed 96,564 real MOT tests across 12,485 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kia Optima? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kia Optima is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kia Optima.
Kia Optima Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kia Optima. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kia Optima MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kia Optima to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kia Optima Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Kia Optima models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Kia Optima Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kia Optima owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kia Optima MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kia Optima year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 579 | 86.2% | 29,522 | 50,214 | 75,959 |
| 2019 | 8,798 | 84.5% | 34,732 | 51,363 | 72,820 |
| 2018 | 17,311 | 85.9% | 36,131 | 53,278 | 76,234 |
| 2017 | 26,155 | 85.9% | 39,458 | 57,842 | 81,227 |
| 2016 | 10,978 | 86.0% | 35,751 | 54,870 | 80,452 |
| 2015 | 6,561 | 82.0% | 37,224 | 58,587 | 84,710 |
| 2014 | 7,704 | 79.8% | 40,536 | 62,743 | 89,606 |
| 2013 | 5,068 | 78.3% | 42,204 | 66,624 | 94,360 |
| 2012 | 12,008 | 77.4% | 43,134 | 67,936 | 96,863 |
| 2011 | 608 | 74.2% | 44,967 | 70,114 | 96,134 |
How Long Does a Kia Optima Last?
Based on 12,485 Kia Optima vehicles on UK roads.
Kia Optima Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kia Optima MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Kia Optima
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.2% MOT pass rate from 579 tests
74.2% MOT pass rate from 608 tests
The best year to buy a used Kia Optima is 2020, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.2% across 579 tests. The 2011 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kia Optima Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Optima THIS CAR | 83.4% | 96,564 | 58,038 mi | 14 yrs |
| Kia Sportage | 80.4% | 2,634,551 | 53,679 mi | 26 yrs |
| Kia Picanto | 77.1% | 2,626,043 | 39,084 mi | 22 yrs |
| Kia Ceed | 76.1% | 1,665,385 | 60,630 mi | 19 yrs |
| Vauxhall Rascal | 64.9% | 30,067 | 61,060 mi | 40 yrs |
Compared to the Kia Sportage (80.4% pass rate) and the Kia Picanto (77.1% pass rate), the Kia Optima outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Kia Optima you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Kia OptimaShould you buy a used Kia Optima?
The Kia Optima has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.4% across 96,564 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Kia Optima with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Kia Optima owner drives around 8,760 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Kia Optima models stay on UK roads for around 14 years. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.