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Kia Optima Mk4 (JF) (2016-2020) reliability

At a glance

Kia Optima Mk4 (JF) built around 2018: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Kia Optima Mk4 (JF) models built around 2018 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Looking at a Kia Optima Mk4 (JF) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

7% of MOT tests on Kia Optima Mk4 (JF) models 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 Optima Mk4 (JF) models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Kia Optima Mk4 (JF)
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2016-2020SaloonDIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC

Based on 10,478 tests of Optima models registered 2016-2020.

About 1 in 50 Optima Mk4 (JF) MOTs (2.2%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 3,355 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 Optima Mk4 (JF) MOTs (7.1%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 3,355 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk4 (JF) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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
75015.2%

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 8 years old.

How the Optima Mk4 (JF) compares

At each age below, see how the Optima Mk4 (JF) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 105,025 tests across 12 Kia models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateKia average
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
75015.2%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Optima Mk4 (JF).

  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 Mk4 (JF).

    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 Mk4 (JF).

    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 Mk4 (JF).

    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 Mk4 (JF).

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    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.

Recall context

6 recalls in all

4 of the 6 Optima Mk4 (JF) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 recalls

Top concerns

  • 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
  • The mesh filter inside the tandem pump may block causing insufficient oil supply and a risk of vacuum pump failure. If t

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

What has gone wrong on Optima Mk4 (JF) cars built around 2018

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 189 cars.

Structural systems

Emissions
6%
Suspension
3%
Drivetrain
1%
Steering
1%

Wear items

Brakes
25%
Tyres
24%
Lighting
6%
How Optima Mk4 (JF) cars have aged

How Optima Mk4 (JF) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%3456789Age at MOTBuilt around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 11.6% (95 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.6% (87 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 17.5% (80 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 14.8% (1,366 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 17.3% (1,253 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 15.9% (1,195 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 17.7% (1,206 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 13.0% (2,193 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 14.5% (2,093 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 14.0% (1,987 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 15.0% (1,940 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 15.2% (1,858 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 14.5% (2,754 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (2,629 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 16.0% (2,554 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 16.8% (2,491 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 16.6% (2,374 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 13.3% (902 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.7% (843 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 13.9% (804 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 16.2% (779 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 15.2% (750 tests, 2025 data)2016
First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018First registered around 2017
How each part holds up as Mk4 (JF) cars age

How each part holds up as Mk4 (JF) cars age

The share of diesel cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car6 years7 years8 years
Suspension1%3%4%
Brakes13%25%30%
Emissions11%6%4%
Tyres22%24%28%
Lighting4%6%8%
DrivetrainNo figure1%No figure
SteeringNo figure1%2%

Based on diesel cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 113 to 254 cars at each age.

Mk4 (JF) variants compared

Optima Mk4 (JF) variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each Optima Mk4 (JF) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • OPTIMA15.6%3,095 tests

Hybrid electric

  • OPTIMA13.9%259 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Kia Optimas of this age

This list covers every Kia Optima built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk4 (JF) on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Kia Optima Mk4 (JF) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Kia Optima Mk4 (JF) (2016-2020) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 3,355 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 10,478 MOT tests on Kia Optimas first registered between 2016-2020. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.