Kia Optima (2020)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 241 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,674

£140/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Diesel

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £1,674/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Diesel1598cc6 years old241 tests58k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1598cc)

~55 mpg

£1,219

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,674

Per month£140/mo

Per week£32/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Kia brand average of 86%.

91% of MOT tests on Kia Optimas from 2020 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 4 years old. That's based on 241 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 57,554 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 models1617th of 2,554(bottom half)

Rank among Kia models207th of 471(top half)

vs average of all models+9%(82% avg)

vs 2020 models average-1%(92% avg)

vs Kia average+5%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

57,554

Average miles

29,600

Expected for age

The average 2020 Kia Optima had 57,554 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is well above the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

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Kia Optima by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2020	91%	241	57,554 mi
2019	89%	3,111	60,554 mi
2018	88%	4,827	70,738 mi
2017	87%	5,853	79,204 mi
2016	87%	2,187	78,458 mi
2015	84%	1,258	81,466 mi
2014	78%	1,178	91,247 mi
2013	80%	618	99,105 mi
2012	74%	1,452	100,410 mi
2011	76%	51	105,766 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Golf

2018 · 1968cc Diesel

£1,852/year

92%

+1%

Ford Focus

2019 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,824/year

89%

-2%

Mercedes A

2019 · 1461cc Diesel

£1,674/year

91%

same

Mercedes A-Class

2018 · 1461cc Diesel

£1,824/year

89%

-2%

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About the 2020 Kia Optima

The 2020 Kia Optima is a small family car. Our records list a 1598cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 241 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 57,554 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Kia Optima owners cover more miles than the average driver. High-mileage examples should be checked carefully for wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components.

2020 Kia Optima Fuel Costs

The 1598cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,219 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2020 Kia Optima?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,674 (£140/month), broken down as £1,219 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Kia Optima Reliability Trend

Newer Kia Optimas pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 9 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2020 Kia Optima

At 6 years old, the Kia Optima offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Medium risk

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2020 Kia Optima stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Kia Optima(2020)	91%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,674
Volkswagen Golf(2018)	92%	£1,397	£200	Grp 18-32	£1,852+£178
Ford Focus(2019)	89%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,824+£150
Mercedes A(2019)	91%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,674same
Mercedes A-Class(2018)	89%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,824+£150

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2020 Kia Optima

Is the 2020 Kia Optima reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of MOT tests on 2020 Kia Optimas ended in a pass, from 241 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2020 Kia Optima cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,674 a year (£140 a month): £1,219 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 Kia Optima?

91% of 241 MOT tests on the 2020 Kia Optima ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1617th of 2,554 models first registered in 2020 (bottom half).

Which year Kia Optima has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Kia Optima has the highest MOT pass rate at 91% and the 2012 the lowest at 74%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2020 Kia Optima?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2020 Kia Optima is 57,554 miles, which is well above the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.