Diesel Kia Optima: MOT pass rate
81.6% of diesel Kia Optimas pass the MOT first time, measured across 10,322 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 77,762.
Diesel against the other Kia Optima versions
| Fuel | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 81.6% | 10,322 |
| Hybrid | 89.4% | 870 |
| All Kia Optima | 82.2% | 11,284 |
Why the fuel type changes the number
Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.
On the Kia Optima specifically, hybrid is the strongest at 89.4%, and this diesel version sits 0.6 points below the 82.2% model average.
What it means if you are buying one
There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.
Mileage is part of the answer
The average diesel Kia Optima had covered 77,762 miles at test, against 82,264 for the hybrid. That is a shade above the middle of the range, still ordinary wear rather than a red flag, but worth checking against the service book for the car's age.
Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Kia Optima page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.
Other Kia Optima fuel types
- Hybrid Kia Optima - 89.4%