KIA Optima
Registered from 2010 to 2020.
About this model
The Kia K5, formerly known as the Kia Optima, is a mid-size car manufactured by Kia since 2000 and marketed globally through various nameplates. First generation cars were mostly marketed as the Optima, although the Kia Magentis name was used in Europe and Canada when sales began there in 2002. For the second-generation models, Kia used the Kia Lotze and Kia K5 name for the South Korean market, and the Magentis name globally, except in the United States, Canada, Malaysia and the Middle East, where the Optima name was retained until the 2021 model year. The K5 name is used for all markets since the introduction of the fifth generation in 2019.
From the Wikipedia article Kia K5, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2017 1.7 diesel. 501 of 3,557 tests failed, 14%.
Better than 28% of 2017 cars. The typical one fails 12%, across 926 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 44% | 219 |
| Brakes | 40% | 202 |
| Visibility | 16% | 80 |
| Lights and electrics | 8% | 38 |
| Seat belts and airbags | 4% | 21 |
| Body and structure | 4% | 20 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Where it stands out against its peers
- Brakes: failed more often than 92% of 2017 cars — 40% of its 501 failed tests, where an ordinary 2017 car has 23%.
- Seat belts and airbags: failed more often than 90% of 2017 cars — 4% of its 501 failed tests, where an ordinary 2017 car has 1%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 44% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Brakes — 40% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Parking brake control missing, defective or inoperative
- Lights and electrics — 8% of its failures
- Visibility — 16% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 140–160k miles this one fails 17% of its inspections, about what an ordinary car of the same age does.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 6% | 6% | 34 | |
| 20–40k miles | 10% | 10% | 396 | |
| 40–60k miles | 14% | 13% | 1,190 | |
| 60–80k miles | 15% | 15% | 1,034 | |
| 80–100k miles | 16% | 16% | 482 | |
| 100–120k miles | 14% | 17% | 208 | |
| 120–140k miles | 15% | 17% | 102 | |
| 140–160k miles | 17% | 17% | 59 |
3,505 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 60k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1.6 diesel · 134 hp · 1617 kg · 2805 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.6 diesel · 1635 kg · 2805 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1.7 diesel · 1630 kg · 2805 mm wheelbase · 4.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 1.7 diesel · 170 hp · 1623 kg · 2643 mm wheelbase · 4.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1.7 diesel · 139 hp · 1625 kg · 2804 mm wheelbase · 4.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 1.7 diesel · 135 hp · 1609 kg · 2796 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 1.7 diesel · 134 hp · 1603 kg · 2765 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 1.7 diesel · 134 hp · 1592 kg · 2795 mm wheelbase · 5.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 1.7 diesel · 134 hp · 1587 kg · 2776 mm wheelbase · 5.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/01885/23
Due to a manufacturing error, the engine might overheat due to fuel or oil leaks and subsequently break down. This may endanger the following traffic and can cause a fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1361/19
A software error in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system may cause the brake assist function not to engage as expected. As a result, the system may not detect another vehicle standing in front of the moving car, increasing the risk of an accident.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/00586/25
Due to an internal leak of brake fluid, a short circuit can occur in the electrical circuit for the ABS/ESC (Anti-lock Braking System / Electronic Stability Control) system. This can lead to an increase in current and overheating in the fuse box, increasing the risk of the engine catching fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/00592/25
Due to an internal leak of brake fluid, a short circuit can occur in the electrical circuit for the ABS/ESC (Anti-lock Braking System / Electronic Stability Control) system. This can lead to an increase in current and overheating in the fuse box, increasing the risk of the engine catching fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/02516/25
Due to an internal leak of brake fluid, a short circuit may occur in the electrical circuit for the ABS/ESC (anti-lock braking system / electronic stability control) system. This may lead to an increase in current and overheating in the fuse box, increasing the risk of the engine catching fire, irrespective of whether the vehicle is parked or being driven. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users