2016 KIA Optima 1.7L Diesel · CV16 XGP

The 2016 Kia Optima presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT, conducted on 24 June 2025 at 65,775 miles, passed, but the tester flagged corrosion on the rear anti-roll bar and both rear attachment brackets. This is a recurring issue. The same rear anti-roll bar corrosion advisory appeared in the July 2024 test at 58,936 miles, indicating the problem has persisted for at least a year without remedial work. The trend is stable but shows a pattern of deferred cosmetic and minor structural repairs rather than proactive correction. The mileage accumulation is consistent and unremarkable. The vehicle has covered approximately 6,578 miles per year, which is typical for its age. The record shows a gap of roughly 11,000 miles between the June 2022 test at 39,661 miles and the June 2023 test at 50,430 miles, representing a slight increase in annual use. The mileage then rose by 8,506 miles in the following year to the July 2024 test, before appearing to plateau entirely. The recorded mileage of 65,775 miles is identical in both the June 2025 pass and the July 2024 pass, strongly suggesting the vehicle has seen very little use in the past twelve months or that the 2025 reading may be a clerical carry-over. A buyer should focus their physical inspection on the rear suspension and braking components. The repeated advisories concerning the rear anti-roll bar and its mounting brackets point to ongoing corrosion that warrants a close check for structural integrity, particularly around the subframe and lower arm attachment points. The rear braking system has drawn attention multiple times. The July 2024 failure and subsequent pass highlighted a worn and pitted offside rear brake disc, uneven pad wear suggesting a binding caliper or seized guide pins, and a missing or insecure offside front steering rack gaiter. The gaiter defect was rectified before the pass, but the underlying cause of uneven rear pad wear was only noted as an advisory. A thorough test drive and visual check of the rear calipers, slides, and disc condition is essential. The June 2023 advisory for perishing and inner-edge wear on both rear tyres also hints at potential rear wheel alignment or suspension bush wear that may still be present.