2017 Kia Optima — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2017 Kia Optima passed 86.8% of its 19,017 recorded MOT tests. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 13.7%, so the 2017 Optima sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.0%) and brakes (5.5%) 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 803 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.4% in the 0-30k band and 15.6% in the 150k+ band, a 8.2-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.7pp more often than hybrid ones (13.4% vs 9.7%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.0% | 1,139 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.5% | 1,043 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.5% | 665 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 359 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.6% | 109 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 97 |
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 | 803 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 695 |
| 3 | Wipers | 522 |
| 4 | Washers | 262 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 239 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 196 |
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 | 26.2% | 4,978 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.5% | 4,477 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.2% | 1,751 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 686 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.8% | 350 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.6% | 310 |
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 | 1,428 | 7.4% |
| 30-60k | 7,577 | 12.2% |
| 60-90k | 6,117 | 14.1% |
| 90-120k | 2,518 | 16.0% |
| 120-150k | 832 | 14.5% |
| 150k+ | 545 | 15.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 17,661 | 13.4% |
| Hybrid | 1,335 | 9.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,811 | 11.4% |
| 2022 | 3,816 | 11.9% |
| 2023 | 3,827 | 13.8% |
| 2024 | 3,829 | 14.2% |
| 2025 | 3,734 | 14.5% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Optima
On a 2017 Optima, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.0% 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 (5.5% 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.
- Visibility (3.5% 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 2017 Kia Optimas pass their MOT?
86.8% of the 19,017 2017 Kia Optima MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Kia Optima?
Tyres, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by brakes (5.5%).
Does the 2017 Optima get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.4% in the 0-30k band to 15.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 19,017 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.