Kia Optima MOT pass rate and common failures
In 2025, 78.5% of Kia Optima MOT tests were a first-time pass, across 10,954 tests in Great Britain. For all cars it was 71.5%.
Compared with cars of the same age
Older cars fail more often, so a model that’s mostly a few years old will look better than one that’s mostly 12. These figures compare like with like.
At 3–5 years
82.1%
All cars: 86.1% (4 points worse). 1,131 tests.
At 6–10 years
80.0%
All cars: 76.1% (3.9 points better). 8,684 tests.
At 11 years and over
63.8%
All cars: 61.3% (2.5 points better). 1,135 tests.
Pass rate by age
Figures by age, with typical mileage
| Age (years) | Tests | First-time pass | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 62 | 79.0% | 86.4% | 48,750 miles |
| 5 | 1,069 | 82.3% | 84.5% | 63,750 miles |
| 6 | 2,201 | 82.2% | 81.9% | 71,250 miles |
| 7 | 2,843 | 81.3% | 79.3% | 81,250 miles |
| 8 | 2,298 | 79.9% | 76.3% | 83,750 miles |
| 9 | 771 | 77.8% | 73.1% | 86,250 miles |
| 10 | 571 | 68.7% | 70.0% | 91,250 miles |
| 11 | 383 | 66.8% | 66.9% | 101,250 miles |
| 12 | 455 | 64.4% | 64.4% | 98,750 miles |
| 13 | 297 | 58.9% | 62.1% | 106,250 miles |
Typical mileage is the median reading at the test, to the nearest 2,500 miles.
What fails most often
The share of Kia Optima MOT tests that failed on at least one item in each area, against all cars. A test can fail on several areas at once.
| Area | Optima | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 12.8% | 10.2% |
| Tyres | 9.1% | 8.4% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.4% | 16.6% |
| Suspension | 4.1% | 13.7% |
| Visibility | 3.1% | 5.2% |
| Steering | 2.2% | 2.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.7% | 4.0% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.0% | 4.2% |
Most common reasons for failing
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick failed 4.1% of tests · what this means
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm failed 3.0% of tests
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed failed 2.0% of tests
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords failed 1.6% of tests
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play failed 1.5% of tests · what this means
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction failed 1.4% of tests · what this means
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively failed 1.2% of tests · what this means
- Headlamp aim: too high failed 1.0% of tests · what this means
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements failed 1.0% of tests
- Service brake performance: excessively binding failed 0.9% of tests · what this means
Checking a particular Optima?
See its own MOT history, mileage record and advisories in plain English. Free, no sign-up.
About these figures
- They cover every Optima version DVSA records under this name (engines, trims and generations together), on its first MOT test of each visit. A “pass with rectification” (fixed within an hour) counts as a fail, as in DVSA’s own statistics.
- Cars under three years old are left out, because the few tested that young are mostly taxis.
- Fuel mix of the cars tested: diesel 91.0%, hybrid electric (clean) 8.2%, petrol 0.8%.
- A pass rate describes the model, not any one car. How a car has been looked after matters more.
Download these figures (CSV) · Other Kia models · All makes
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data for 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Our own analysis; not produced or endorsed by DVSA.