Used car guide

2012 Kia Optima: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Kia Optimas, from 581 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

581MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
7,800typical miles a year
5.4×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Kia Optimas than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Suspension arm5.4× usual
    Kia Optima
    14.1% All 2012 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Track rod ends2.7× usual
    Kia Optima
    13.1% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 2.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Braking performance2.6× usual
    Kia Optima
    12.6% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 1.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.2× usual
    Kia Optima
    12.2% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

By area

The share of 2012 Kia Optima MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    43% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    33% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    25% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Steering
    11% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    8% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Kia Optima?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20191,677Tyres 30%
20182,637Tyres 30%
20173,232Tyres 32%
20161,235Tyres 30%
2015590Tyres 32%
2014556Tyres 35%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Kia Optimas registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score