2013 Kia Optima — MOT failures & pass rate
2,133 MOT tests on the 2013 Kia Optima are in this dataset, and 77.5% of them passed. That is 2.4 percentage points worse than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 20.2%. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (8.6%) and suspension (7.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, service brake performance and brake pads — track rod end alone was recorded 121 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 26.6% versus 9.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 22.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 8.6% | 184 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.6% | 162 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.8% | 145 |
| 4 | Steering | 6.4% | 137 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.8% | 102 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.1% | 66 |
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 | 121 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 73 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 68 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 65 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 57 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 55 |
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 | 28.9% | 617 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.4% | 585 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.8% | 358 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.7% | 186 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.7% | 142 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.3% | 114 |
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 | 54 | 9.3% |
| 30-60k | 346 | 19.4% |
| 60-90k | 759 | 22.8% |
| 90-120k | 567 | 24.2% |
| 120-150k | 253 | 22.9% |
| 150k+ | 154 | 26.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 448 | 22.3% |
| 2022 | 457 | 22.3% |
| 2023 | 435 | 22.1% |
| 2024 | 399 | 22.1% |
| 2025 | 394 | 24.1% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Optima
On a 2013 Optima, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (8.6% 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 (7.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2013 Kia Optimas pass their MOT?
77.5% of the 2,133 2013 Kia Optima MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Kia Optima?
Brakes, recorded in 8.6% of tests, followed by suspension (7.6%).
Does the 2013 Optima get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.3% in the 0-30k band to 26.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,133 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.