2012 Kia Optima MOT pass rate: 64.7% (1,910 tests)
Is the 2012 Optima getting worse?
Pass rate of 2012-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 66.7% -5.6 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 62.7% -8.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 64.2% -6.0 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2012 Optima
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 663 | 35.1% |
| 2 | Suspension | 396 | 21.0% |
| 3 | Steering | 242 | 12.8% |
| 4 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 216 | 11.4% |
| 5 | Tyres | 189 | 10.0% |
| 6 | Visibility | 65 | 3.4% |
All Optima years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 (this page) | 1,910 | 64.7% | -6.6 pts | 96,883 |
| 2014 | 1,725 | 73.4% | -2.5 pts | 86,865 |
| 2015 | 1,799 | 78.5% | -0.3 pts | 78,541 |
| 2016 | 3,724 | 84.8% | +3.4 pts | 74,839 |
| 2017 | 9,729 | 83.7% | -0.3 pts | 72,364 |
| 2018 | 7,955 | 86.0% | -0.3 pts | 63,553 |
| 2019 | 4,902 | 84.7% | -3.7 pts | 55,837 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2012 Kia Optima reliable?
2012-registered examples passed 64.7% of their MOT tests (1,910 tests, 2023–2025), -6.6 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 14 years old with a median 96,883 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2012 Optima?
The median tested example shows 96,883 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.