Kia Optima Reliability: Common Problems and Years to Avoid
What the Kia Optima fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and how each model year's MOT pass rate compares with other cars of the same age. Based on 20,776 MOT tests across 10 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: family car | Fuel: Diesel, Hybrid
86%
Kia Optima pass rate
86%
Kia average
82%
All-model average
The Kia Optima has an average MOT pass rate of 86%, which is equal to the Kia average and 4 points above the average across all models in our data. 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.
Check Your Kia Optima's MOT History
Enter your reg plate to see the specific issues found on your car, plus a health score and running cost estimate.
What the Kia Optima Fails Its MOT On
Of the 2,347 MOT tests on the Kia Optima that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Brakes
37%Cars and vans the same age: 20% (the Optima fails on this more often) · Typical repair £80-£450
Tyres
31%Cars and vans the same age: 27% · Typical repair £50-£300
Lights and electrics
20%Cars and vans the same age: 30% (the Optima fails on this less often) · Typical repair £15-£200
Suspension
14%Cars and vans the same age: 26% (the Optima fails on this less often) · Typical repair £150-£600
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
13%Cars and vans the same age: 15% · Typical repair £10-£350
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick (16% of failed tests, brakes)
- Tyre tread depth below the 1.6mm limit (11% of failed tests, tyres)
- Tyre has ply or cords exposed (8.1% of failed tests, tyres)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
Buying a Kia Optima? Check it first
See that car's own MOT history and mileage free, then check it for outstanding finance, an insurance write-off and a stolen record before you pay.
History check £4.99, one-off. No subscription.
Kia Optima Years to Avoid
Every car in the 2024 MOT data was tested at the same age as the other cars first registered that year, so each Optima year is compared with all cars from the same year. Years with 1,000+ tests that were at least three years old are included.
Failed more often than cars their age
Passed more often than cars their age
No year passed 3 or more points more often than other cars of the same age.
A lower pass rate means that year failed its MOT more often in 2024; it does not mean every car from that year is bad. Old cars still on the road are often the best-kept ones, which can lift the pass rates of the oldest years. How a car has been looked after matters more, so check the MOT history of the car you are looking at.
Kia Optima Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. All Cars is the pass rate of every car first registered that year, with the gap in points. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
Kia Optima Running Costs
Want to know the full annual running costs for the Kia Optima? Including fuel, road tax, the MOT and predicted repairs based on MOT pass rates, plus an estimated insurance group.
View Kia Optima Running CostsCar history check for £4.99
Finance, stolen and write-off checks
Outstanding finance with the lender's details, stolen, write-off and keeper changes. One payment, no subscription.
Comparing checks first? See the cheapest car check in the UK and the best car check providers compared.
Kia Optima FAQ
What are the most common Kia Optima problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the Kia Optima that failed at the first attempt most often failed on brakes (37% of the 2,347 failed tests), tyres (31%) and lights and electrics (20%). The single most common fault was "Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick" (16%). Across 20,776 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 86% ended in a pass.
Is the Kia Optima reliable?
The Kia Optima has an average MOT pass rate of 86%, from 20,776 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). Comparing each model year with all cars first registered the same year, so that age is allowed for, it passed within 1 point of other cars of the same age, so about average for its age.
Which Kia Optima years should I avoid?
Compared with all cars first registered the same year (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), the 2012 (74% of 1,452 tests passed, against 79% for all 2012 cars) and the 2014 (78% of 1,178 tests passed, against 82% for all 2014 cars) failed their MOT most often for their age. A year's pass rate does not tell you about one car, so check the MOT history of the car you are buying.
How much does it cost to fix common Kia Optima faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a Kia Optima typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
Check a Specific Kia Optima
Enter any reg plate to see the exact MOT history, defects found, health score, and running cost estimate for that specific car.
Other Kia Models
Common problems pages for other Kia models