2017 Kia Optima MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 80.7% of Kia Optimas first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. Across 9,865 Optima first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, brakes and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).
This page analyses first MOT tests for Kia Optimas first used in 2017 (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
How the 2017 Kia Optima MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Optimas first used in 2017 against all cars first used in 2017 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Optima figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2017 Optima | All cars first used 2017 | Optima first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 83.6% | 85.9% | 3,395 |
| 2022 | 83.7% | 83.9% | 3,377 |
| 2023 | 81.7% | 81.7% | 3,328 |
| 2024 | 80.7% | 79.8% | 3,319 |
| 2025 | 80.7% | 78.2% | 3,218 |
Common 2017 Kia Optima MOT failures
Share of the 1,871 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%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 21.2% | 396 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 15.6% | 292 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 9.1% | 171 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 8.3% | 155 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 6.8% | 127 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2017 Kia Optima before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- 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.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
Common 2017 Kia Optima MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2017 Optimas, as a share of all 9,865 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 19.4% | 1,918 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 13.3% | 1,311 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 10.1% | 992 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 6.1% | 602 |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | 3.5% | 346 |
Questions about the 2017 Kia Optima MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2017 Kia Optima?
In 2025, 80.7% of Optimas first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2017 Optima most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 37.6% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (37.3%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (17.0%). The single most common item was “Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick” (21.2%).
How often does a 2017 Kia Optima fail its MOT?
In 2025, 19.3% of first tests on Optimas first used in 2017 did not pass first time: 16.7% failed, and a further 2.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,871 of 9,865 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2017 Kia Optima MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 19.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (13.3%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (10.1%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (6.1%) and “Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt” (3.5%).
Is a 2017 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 83.6% in 2021 to 80.7% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2017
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2017 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2017 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2017 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2017 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics · 2017 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2017 Optima?
The numbers above cover every Optima first used in 2017 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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