Used car guide

2013 Kia Optima: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Kia Optimas, from 314 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 314 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

314MOT tests in 2025
68%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
8,500typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for braking performance

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Kia Optimas than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Braking performance2.9× usual
    Kia Optima
    12.7% All 2013 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.6% of all 2013 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.

By area

The share of 2013 Kia Optima MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    40% 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.

  • Suspension
    37% 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.

  • Tyres
    34% 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
    21% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    9% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Kia Optima?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020139Tyres 32%
20191,677Tyres 30%
20182,637Tyres 30%
20173,232Tyres 32%
20161,235Tyres 30%
2015590Tyres 32%
2014556Tyres 35%
2012581Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Kia Optimas registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score