2019 Kia Optima — MOT failures & pass rate
7,840 MOT tests on the 2019 Kia Optima are in this dataset, and 87.4% of them passed. Against large family cars of a similar age (11.5% fail rate), the 2019 Optima comes out 1.1pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.8%) and brakes (4.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, brake pads and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 299 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.2% in the 0-30k band and 19.1% in the 150k+ band, a 10.9-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.5pp more often than hybrid ones (13.0% vs 8.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 2.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.8% | 455 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.3% | 333 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.6% | 285 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.9% | 226 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.2% | 173 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.4% | 32 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 299 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 281 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 222 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 211 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 156 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 61 |
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 | 25.0% | 1,960 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.9% | 1,641 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.1% | 635 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.8% | 301 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.4% | 113 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.0% | 78 |
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 | 1,461 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 3,527 | 12.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,842 | 14.9% |
| 90-120k | 736 | 14.8% |
| 120-150k | 190 | 12.6% |
| 150k+ | 84 | 19.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,918 | 13.0% |
| Hybrid | 719 | 8.5% |
| Petrol | 203 | 12.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 114 | 2.6% |
| 2022 | 1,968 | 11.0% |
| 2023 | 1,933 | 13.1% |
| 2024 | 1,903 | 12.8% |
| 2025 | 1,922 | 14.0% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Optima
On a 2019 Optima, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.8% 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 (4.3% 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 (3.6% 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 2019 Kia Optimas pass their MOT?
87.4% of the 7,840 2019 Kia Optima MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Kia Optima?
Tyres, recorded in 5.8% of tests, followed by brakes (4.3%).
Does the 2019 Optima get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 0-30k band to 19.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,840 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.