Reliability report
Kia Optima reliability and common faults
Based on 15,332 roadworthiness tests, led by the UK MOT. Each country is compared only with its own average for cars of the same age.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom · MOT
18.6%
fail rate · average 18.2%
about average
10,420 MOT tests (DVSA)
🇳🇱 Netherlands · APK
39.7%
with defects · average 41.2%
better than average
2,961 APK inspections (RDW)
🇱🇹 Lithuania · inspection
68.5%
first-time pass · average 71.0%
worse than average
1,951 inspections
Testing regimes differ from country to country – don’t compare the figures between countries; compare each one only with its own average. MOT data: contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Weak spots
What goes wrong on the Kia Optima
How often each area fails compared with the average car of the same age (vertical line = average, 100%). Red – more often than average.
Plates and identification
Brakes
Steering
Wheels
Tyresconfirmed in 2 countries
Seat belts and airbags
Lights and electrics
Visibility
Exhaust and emissions
Body and structure
Suspension
Most common test failures
- 1Tyre pressure not at correct value
- 2Tyre(s) with tread depth of 1.6 to 2.5 mm
- 3Tyre insufficient tread
- 4Number plate light doesn't work (properly) / missing
- 5Low beam incorrectly adjusted
- 6Mechanical parts of the brake system show wear
- 7Tyre pressure monitoring system warning indicator is on
- 8Turn signal color incorrect/not allowed
- 9Tyre damaged
- 10Windscreen wiper system gives insufficient visibility
Results by vehicle age
| Age | 🇬🇧 MOT fail rate | 🇳🇱 APK defects |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 years | — | 28.3% avg 27.0% |
| 6–8 years | 15.9% avg 15.3% | 35.2% avg 36.7% |
| 9–11 years | 21.7% avg 22.9% | 43.8% avg 44.4% |
| 12–15 years | 33.9% avg 30.3% | 49.9% avg 55.4% |
🇱🇹 First-time pass rate in Lithuania – by year of manufacture
| Year | Optima | Average for year | Inspections |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 78.1% | 83.2% | 123 |
| 2018 | 77.8% | 79.5% | 167 |
| 2017 | 76.9% | 76.6% | 294 |
| 2016 | 72.8% | 72.8% | 235 |
| 2015 | 70.9% | 71.1% | 265 |
| 2014 | 71.3% | 68.0% | 164 |
| 2013 | 55.5% | 65.9% | 348 |
| 2012 | 59.5% | 63.7% | 304 |
Kia Optima – FAQs
How reliable is the Kia Optima?+
In the UK the Kia Optima fails 18.6% of MOT tests, against an average of 18.2% for cars of the same age – about average. In the Netherlands, inspectors found defects at 39.7% of APK inspections (average there 41.2%) – better than average. In Lithuania 68.5% pass their roadworthiness test first time (average for those years there 71.0%) – worse than average.
What goes wrong most often on the Kia Optima?+
Compared with the average car of the same age, testers find faults more often in these areas: brakes, steering.
What should I check when buying a used Kia Optima?+
The most common inspection failures: Tyre pressure not at correct value; Tyre(s) with tread depth of 1.6 to 2.5 mm; Tyre insufficient tread; Number plate light doesn't work (properly) / missing; Low beam incorrectly adjusted. Before you buy, also check the free MOT history on GOV.UK and the car’s history by reg or VIN (mileage, damage, theft).
More Kia models
Sources: anonymised MOT test results (DVSA) – contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0; APK inspection defects (RDW, open data); Lithuanian roadworthiness test results (data.gov.lt). Initial tests only; retests are not counted. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons (licence).