2014 Kia Optima MOT pass rate: 73.4% (1,725 tests)
Is the 2014 Optima getting worse?
Pass rate of 2014-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 73.7% -3.7 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 73.0% -2.7 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 73.5% -0.9 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 2014 Optima
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 364 | 33.8% |
| 2 | Tyres | 189 | 17.5% |
| 3 | Suspension | 144 | 13.4% |
| 4 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 125 | 11.6% |
| 5 | Steering | 123 | 11.4% |
| 6 | Visibility | 61 | 5.7% |
All Optima years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,910 | 64.7% | -6.6 pts | 96,883 |
| 2014 (this page) | 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 |
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FAQs
Is a 2014 Kia Optima reliable?
2014-registered examples passed 73.4% of their MOT tests (1,725 tests, 2023–2025), -2.5 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 12 years old with a median 86,865 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2014 Optima?
The median tested example shows 86,865 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.