2014 · 10 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2014 Kia Optima MOT pass rate and common faults

591 MOT tests in 2024. 68.5% passed first time, compared with 69.9% for all cars the same age.

98About average
Passed first time68.5%
Failed or needed repairs31.5%
Typical mileage at test88,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 591 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.7%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.7%
    27 marked dangerous
  3. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.7%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.5%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
    22 marked dangerous
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.4%
    20 marked dangerous
  7. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.5%
  8. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side1.4%
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
  10. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.4%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes19.0%
  2. Tyres9.0%
  3. Lights & electrics8.6%
  4. Suspension7.8%
  5. Steering6.9%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.2%
  7. Wheels1.2%
  8. Emissions & leaks1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.0%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.6%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.6%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn6.1%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2014 Kia Optima?

In 2024, 68.5% of 2014 Kia Optima cars passed their MOT first time, across 591 tests. The average for all 10-year-old cars was 69.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2014 Kia Optima?

The most common failure reasons were track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; service brake performance: excessively binding. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2014 Kia Optima reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 98, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).