Kia Optima common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Kia Optima, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 33,383 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 2011 Kia Optima
Too few Kia Optima cars first registered in 2011 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Kia Optima as a whole.
What to check on a 2011 car
- MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
- Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
- Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
- Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
What usually goes wrong with a Kia Optima?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Kia Optima in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.
Common Kia Optima MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Diesel
Braking performance
up to 3.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Number plates
up to 2.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Rough price £5–£40 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
Brake pads
up to 1.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2019.
Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.
Kia Optima MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2016 Kia Optima did best (82% passed first time, 5 points above all 2016 cars) and the 2019 did worst (81%, 4 points below all 2019 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Kia Optima
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the Kia Optima as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the Kia Optima as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the Kia Optima as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Kia Optima?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score