MOT failure data · 2025
Kia Optima MOT problems
Across every Kia Optima that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick, on 10.79% of failure items. The broadest problem area was brakes at 35.07%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.
Most common Kia Optima MOT failures
| # | Recorded defect | Area | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 10.79% |
| 2 | Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 7.77% |
| 3 | Condition has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 5.46% |
| 4 | Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 4.37% |
| 5 | Track rod end ball joint has excessive play | Steering | 3.83% |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.95% |
| 7 | Service brake performance excessively binding | Brakes | 2.58% |
| 8 | Rbt (sp) efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 2.58% |
| 9 | Rigid brake pipes excessively corroded | Brakes | 2.43% |
| 10 | Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively | Visibility | 2.36% |
Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.
What this means if you are buying one
Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Kia Optima, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.
The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Kia Optima buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.
Checking a specific Kia Optima?
Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.
Other Kia models
- Kia Sportage MOT problems
- Kia Picanto MOT problems
- Kia Ceed MOT problems
- Kia Niro MOT problems
- Kia RIO MOT problems
- Kia Venga MOT problems
Kia Optima MOT FAQs
What does a Kia Optima most commonly fail its MOT on?
The single most recorded defect on Kia Optima cars failing their 2025 MOT was "brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick", appearing on 10.79% of failure items.
Does this mean my Kia Optima will fail?
No. This is what testers recorded across every Kia Optima that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Kia Optima passed 81.63% of its initial tests.
How do I see a specific Kia Optima's MOT history?
Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.
See also: Kia Optima MOT pass rate · used Kia Optima buying guide · free MOT history check
Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.