2016 Kia Optima MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 80.5% of Kia Optimas first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. Across 3,777 Optima first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were brakes, tyres and lamps and electrical equipment.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Kia Optimas first used in 2016 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
80.5%
of 1,233 first tests; all cars first used in 2016: 74.9%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
3,777
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,233 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
43.0%
of 1,233 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
84,500
middle half: 64,500–108,000 miles; all cars first used in 2016: 67,500

How the 2016 Kia Optima MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Optimas first used in 2016 against all cars first used in 2016 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Optima figure was 5.6 points higher.

2016 OptimaAll cars first used in 2016
70%80%90%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2016, test year 2021: 82.7%All cars first used in 2016, test year 2022: 80.9%All cars first used in 2016, test year 2023: 78.6%All cars first used in 2016, test year 2024: 76.7%All cars first used in 2016, test year 2025: 74.9%2016 Optima, test year 2021: 84.7%2016 Optima, test year 2022: 82.6%2016 Optima, test year 2023: 83.5%2016 Optima, test year 2024: 81.1%2016 Optima, test year 2025: 80.5%80.5%74.9%
View this chart as a table
Test year2016 OptimaAll cars first used 2016Optima first tests
202184.7%82.7%1,295
202282.6%80.9%1,285
202383.5%78.6%1,284
202481.1%76.7%1,260
202580.5%74.9%1,233

Common 2016 Kia Optima MOT failures

Share of the 690 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Brakes35.4%
Tyres34.1%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment15.1%
Visibility14.9%
Suspension11.6%
Noise, emissions and leaks7.0%
Steering5.5%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick19.0%131
Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm13.3%92
Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed8.6%59

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2016 Kia Optima before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
  2. Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
  3. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.

Common 2016 Kia Optima MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2016 Optimas, as a share of all 3,777 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge18.5%699
Brake pads: wearing thin11.3%427
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened10.0%377
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing6.2%235
Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread3.5%134

Questions about the 2016 Kia Optima MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 Kia Optima?

In 2025, 80.5% of Optimas first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2016 Optima most often fail its MOT on?

Brakes (in 35.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (34.1%) and lamps and electrical equipment (15.1%). The single most common item was “Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick” (19.0%).

How often does a 2016 Kia Optima fail its MOT?

In 2025, 19.5% of first tests on Optimas first used in 2016 did not pass first time: 15.8% failed, and a further 3.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 690 of 3,777 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2016 Kia Optima MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 18.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (11.3%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (10.0%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (6.2%) and “Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread” (3.5%).

Is a 2016 Kia Optima reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 84.7% in 2021 to 80.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2016

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2016 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2016 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2016 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2016 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2016 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics

How the 2016 Kia Optima MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2016 Optima” means a Kia Optima whose date of first use falls in 2016 (65, 16 and 66 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2016, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.