2020 Kia Optima — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 524 MOT tests, the 2020 Kia Optima recorded an 89.5% pass rate. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 10.6%, so the 2020 Optima sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.4%) and visibility (4.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, malfunction indicator lamp and brake pads — wipers alone was recorded 27 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 Optima fails 11.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 15.1% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.5 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.7% of tests failed in 2022 against 14.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.4% | 23 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.2% | 22 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.5% | 13 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 10 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 8 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.9% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 27 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 10 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 9 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 7 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 6 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 5 |
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 | 25.8% | 135 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.7% | 82 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.3% | 28 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.2% | 17 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.7% | 9 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 7 |
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 | 138 | 11.6% |
| 30-60k | 194 | 6.7% |
| 60-90k | 99 | 14.1% |
| 90-120k | 53 | 15.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 346 | 11.0% |
| Hybrid | 152 | 6.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 31 | 9.7% |
| 2023 | 167 | 8.4% |
| 2024 | 155 | 9.7% |
| 2025 | 156 | 14.1% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Optima
On a 2020 Optima, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.4% 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.
- Visibility (4.2% 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.
- Brakes (2.5% 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.
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 2020 Kia Optimas pass their MOT?
89.5% of the 524 2020 Kia Optima MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Kia Optima?
Tyres, recorded in 4.4% of tests, followed by visibility (4.2%).
Does the 2020 Optima get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.6% in the 0-30k band to 15.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 524 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.