2015 Kia Optima — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,642 MOT tests, the 2015 Kia Optima recorded an 83.2% pass rate. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 17.0%, so the 2015 Optima sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.9%) and brakes (6.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, brake pads and track rod end — tread depth alone was recorded 129 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.8% in the 0-30k band and 24.0% in the 150k+ band, a 15.2-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 14.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.9% | 251 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.5% | 237 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 161 |
| 4 | Steering | 2.6% | 95 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.5% | 91 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.4% | 88 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 129 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 115 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 97 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 75 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 65 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 64 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.3% | 922 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.2% | 883 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.6% | 313 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.0% | 292 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.3% | 120 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.1% | 112 |
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 | 182 | 8.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,109 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,336 | 18.0% |
| 90-120k | 681 | 20.6% |
| 120-150k | 205 | 21.0% |
| 150k+ | 129 | 24.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 737 | 14.0% |
| 2022 | 744 | 16.0% |
| 2023 | 740 | 16.9% |
| 2024 | 712 | 17.4% |
| 2025 | 709 | 19.9% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Optima
On a 2015 Optima, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (6.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.4% 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 2015 Kia Optimas pass their MOT?
83.2% of the 3,642 2015 Kia Optima MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Kia Optima?
Tyres, recorded in 6.9% of tests, followed by brakes (6.5%).
Does the 2015 Optima get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.8% in the 0-30k band to 24.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,642 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.