2012 Kia Optima — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 Kia Optima passed 73.6% of its 4,452 recorded MOT tests. Large family cars of a similar age fail 21.5% of the time, so this is 4.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and steering.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: brakes, recorded in 13.5% of tests against 8.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, service brake performance and rbt (sp) — track rod end alone was recorded 293 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 27.5% versus 9.2%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 31.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 24.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.5% | 601 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.9% | 397 |
| 3 | Steering | 8.4% | 374 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 342 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.6% | 250 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.8% | 124 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 293 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 251 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 195 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 193 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 152 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 149 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 31.2% | 1,388 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.4% | 1,176 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.1% | 982 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.1% | 538 |
| 5 | Steering | 10.6% | 471 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 397 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 76 | 9.2% |
| 30-60k | 629 | 21.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,470 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 1,357 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 621 | 29.0% |
| 150k+ | 298 | 27.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 992 | 24.2% |
| 2022 | 961 | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 910 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 845 | 28.4% |
| 2025 | 744 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Optima
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 13.5% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (13.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (8.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Steering (8.4% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2012 Kia Optimas pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 4,452 2012 Kia Optima MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Kia Optima?
Brakes, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by suspension (8.9%).
Does the 2012 Optima get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.2% in the 0-30k band to 27.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,452 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.