2019 Kia Optima MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 80.6% of Kia Optimas first used in 2019 passed their MOT first time, against 83.5% for all cars first used in 2019. Across 5,075 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 2019 (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 2019 Kia Optima MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Optimas first used in 2019 against all cars first used in 2019 (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 | 2019 Optima | All cars first used 2019 | Optima first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | fewer than 500 tests | 89.2% | 111 |
| 2022 | 82.7% | 87.8% | 1,766 |
| 2023 | 80.9% | 86.2% | 1,704 |
| 2024 | 82.1% | 84.9% | 1,697 |
| 2025 | 80.6% | 83.5% | 1,674 |
Common 2019 Kia Optima MOT failures
Share of the 954 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 | 19.0% | 181 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 15.9% | 152 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 11.0% | 105 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 10.1% | 96 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 8.8% | 84 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2019 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 2019 Kia Optima MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2019 Optimas, as a share of all 5,075 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 18.0% | 913 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 14.2% | 719 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 8.1% | 411 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 5.1% | 258 |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively | 3.5% | 177 |
Questions about the 2019 Kia Optima MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2019 Kia Optima?
In 2025, 80.6% of Optimas first used in 2019 passed their MOT first time, against 83.5% for all cars first used in 2019. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2019 Optima most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 35.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (28.8%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (19.9%). The single most common item was “Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick” (19.0%).
How often does a 2019 Kia Optima fail its MOT?
In 2025, 19.4% of first tests on Optimas first used in 2019 did not pass first time: 16.1% failed, and a further 3.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 954 of 5,075 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2019 Kia Optima MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 18.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (14.2%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (8.1%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (5.1%) and “Brake discs: worn, but not excessively” (3.5%).
Is a 2019 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 82.7% in 2022 to 80.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2019
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2019 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2019 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2019 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2019 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2019 Optima?
The numbers above cover every Optima first used in 2019 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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