2016 Kia Optima — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,214 MOT tests, the 2016 Kia Optima recorded an 87.4% pass rate. That is 2.7 percentage points better than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 15.3%. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.6%) and brakes (5.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, tread depth and wipers — brake pads alone was recorded 256 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.5% in the 0-30k band and 12.3% in the 150k+ band, a 5.8-point spread.
The hybrid cars hold up better: 9.5% fail against 13.4% for diesel, a 3.9-point gap across 7,205 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 10.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.6% | 403 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.2% | 372 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.7% | 195 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 162 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.3% | 95 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 68 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 256 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 219 |
| 3 | Wipers | 152 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 104 |
| 5 | Washers | 68 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 66 |
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 | 25.7% | 1,853 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.8% | 1,642 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.6% | 623 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 210 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.9% | 209 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.8% | 128 |
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 | 538 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 2,676 | 11.9% |
| 60-90k | 2,337 | 12.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,079 | 16.1% |
| 120-150k | 380 | 14.2% |
| 150k+ | 203 | 12.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,789 | 13.4% |
| Hybrid | 1,416 | 9.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,438 | 10.2% |
| 2022 | 1,456 | 12.4% |
| 2023 | 1,461 | 12.5% |
| 2024 | 1,443 | 14.2% |
| 2025 | 1,416 | 13.8% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Optima
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.6% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.6% 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 (5.2% 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.
- Visibility (2.7% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2016 Kia Optimas pass their MOT?
87.4% of the 7,214 2016 Kia Optima MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Kia Optima?
Tyres, recorded in 5.6% of tests, followed by brakes (5.2%).
Does the 2016 Optima get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 12.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,214 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.