Used car guide

2019 Kia Optima: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2019 Kia Optimas, from 1,677 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,677MOT tests in 2025
81%pass first time (all 2019 cars: 84%)
11,200typical miles a year
3.5×the usual rate for braking performance

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2019 Kia Optimas than on all cars registered in 2019.

  • Braking performance3.5× usual
    Kia Optima
    3.8% All 2019 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.3% of all 2019 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.

  • Track rod ends2.9× usual
    Kia Optima
    3.5% All 2019 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.5% of all 2019 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.

  • Engine warning light3.2× usual
    Kia Optima
    2.9% All 2019 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.9% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

By area

The share of 2019 Kia Optima MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    30% 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.

  • Brakes
    25% 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
    5% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    5% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Kia Optima?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
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 2019 Kia Optimas registered in 2019. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score