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Kia Optima reliability by build year

Coverage 2012-20202 named generationsSaloonDIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Kia Optima built around 2018: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Kia Optimas built around 2018 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a Kia Optima by number plate

Key figure

7% of MOT tests on Kia Optimas built around 2018 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 5% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Kia Optimas built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Kia Optima's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Optima's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Optima Mk4 (JF)

Mk4 (JF) (2016-2020)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELHYBRID ELECTRIC

15.5% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 3,355 MOT tests at this ageView details →
M

Mk3 (TF) (2012-2015)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELHYBRID ELECTRIC

23.8% fail rate, built around 2015 (10 years old)

Likely between 21.0% and 27.0%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 22.8%)

From 772 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Kia Optima.

See every build year for the Kia Optima

Side-by-side

Kia Optima generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk4 (JF) (2016-2020)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings15.5%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 3,355 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (TF) (2012-2015)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate23.8%likely between 21.0% and 27.0%built around 2015 (10 years old)from 772 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Optima, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Kia Optima fail rate by age

This chart combines every Kia Optima ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
85213.7%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
2,41816.3%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
3,35515.5%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
3,10316.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1,08217.2%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
77223.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
57624.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
58527.2%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
50031.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 13 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Kia Optima stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Kia models

8th of 12

8th lowest fail rate of 12 Kia models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other saloons

20th of 29

20th lowest fail rate of 29 saloons with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

15.5%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Kia Optimas

These issues come from 7-year-old Kia Optimas, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    22.1%
    Advisory: 1,084Fail: 94 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    15.3%
    Advisory: 534Fail: 120 (18% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.2%
    Advisory: 327Fail: 94 (22% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    9.0%
    Advisory: 411Fail: 9 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, but not excessively

    4.2%
    Advisory: 164Fail: 27 (14% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,355 MOT tests on 7-year-old Kia Optimas, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Kia Optimas notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres46%
  2. Other + Tyres17%
  3. Brakes + Other15%
  4. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers10%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 831 MOT tests on Kia Optima cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

83%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

6 recalls in all

All 6 Kia Optima recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 5 more

Top concerns

  • Kia HECU fuse replacement
  • The forward collision avoidance assist may fail to identify stationary vehicles
  • Certain engines may have been produced with conditions that can cause premature wear of the connecting rod bearings

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Volkswagen Passat

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.2%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    83.2%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 5.3%, against 7.1% for the Kia Optima.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    14,646 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Toyota Avensis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.9%
    Dangerous
    4.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    72.2%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 4.3%, against 7.1% for the Kia Optima.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,026 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Hyundai i40

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3%
    Dangerous
    5.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    75.2%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 5.9%, against 7.1% for the Kia Optima.

    2,244 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Dacia Logan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4%
    Dangerous
    6.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    85.5%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 6.3%, against 7.1% for the Kia Optima.

    2,480 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Kia Optima across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 8th lowest fail rate of 12 Kia models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 3,355 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Kia Optima ever sold: 13,243 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 3,355 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.