2015 · 9 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2015 Kia Optima MOT pass rate and common faults

596 MOT tests in 2024. 76.3% passed first time, compared with 73.5% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time76.3%
Failed or needed repairs23.7%
Typical mileage at test80,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 596 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.7%
    29 marked dangerous
  2. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.5%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.3%
    20 marked dangerous
  4. Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative2.2%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
    14 marked dangerous
  6. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.7%
    13 marked dangerous
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.3%
  8. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.3%
  9. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.2%
  10. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.0%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes13.1%
  2. Tyres12.4%
  3. Lights & electrics5.9%
  4. Suspension4.7%
  5. Steering4.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.0%
  7. Wheels0.8%
  8. Emissions & leaks0.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.1%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick11.2%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.7%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.6%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. 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 2015 Kia Optima?

In 2024, 76.3% of 2015 Kia Optima cars passed their MOT first time, across 596 tests. The average for all 9-year-old cars was 73.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2015 Kia Optima?

The most common failure reasons were tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2015 Kia Optima reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).