MPV and people carrier · 1999–2019 cars

Vauxhall Zafira reliability

The Vauxhall Zafira fails 38.5% of first MOT tests, 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 752,370 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Below averageReliability score 39/100#30 of 49 mpv and people carriers

Checking a Vauxhall Zafira before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 38.5%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 12% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 752,370; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 8,600; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Vauxhall Zafira is a middling buy on MOT results. 38.5% of first-time tests fail, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 12% more MOT fails, ranking 30 of 49 mpv and people carrier models. The 2015 model year did best, with 8% more fails than comparable cars. The 2000 model year did worst, with 26% more.

A well-kept Zafira can still be a sound buy if you check it properly. Exhaust, emissions and leaks are the weak spot, with 92% more fails than comparable cars, so look under the car for leaks and rust. Ask to see the MOT history too. Then check the most common failures: fractured or broken coil springs (5.07% of tests), position lamp not working (3.39%), engine warning light inoperative or lit (3.36%) and brake pads worn below 1.5mm (3.16%).

MOT fail rate by age

How the Vauxhall Zafira ages

Each point is the share of Vauxhall Zafiras of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Vauxhall ZafiraAll cars

Vauxhall Zafira first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Vauxhall Zafira	All cars
3	19.2%	12.3%
4	18.4%	14.1%
5	21.1%	16.4%
6	23.6%	19.1%
7	26.6%	22.1%
8	29.8%	25.5%
9	33.1%	28.8%
10	36.2%	31.8%
11	40.1%	34.6%
12	43%	37.3%
13	45.8%	39.5%
14	48%	41.1%
15	49.2%	42.3%
16	49.8%	42.9%
17	50%	43.4%
18	49.8%	43.5%
19	49.5%	43.4%
20	48.9%	42.8%
21	48.6%	41.4%
22	48.5%	40.6%
23	48%	38.9%

By year

The best and worst Vauxhall Zafira years

2015 cars come out best and 2000 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Vauxhall Zafira MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2018 Zafira	16,939	19.1%	26% more fails	36,722
2017 Zafira	40,358	22.3%	26% more fails	44,814
2016 Zafira	40,271	25%	17% more fails	55,618
2015 Zafira	49,373	26.9%	8% more fails	66,167
2014 Zafira	93,649	31.2%	11% more fails	74,577
2013 Zafira	96,052	34.8%	12% more fails	80,675
2012 Zafira	57,544	37.8%	11% more fails	87,245
2011 Zafira	47,859	42%	11% more fails	97,998
2010 Zafira	63,653	44.6%	12% more fails	101,082
2009 Zafira	37,861	47.4%	14% more fails	101,282
2008 Zafira	58,406	48.5%	12% more fails	107,600
2007 Zafira	50,353	49.8%	13% more fails	109,585
2006 Zafira	35,178	49.4%	10% more fails	112,430
2005 Zafira	23,455	50.3%	11% more fails	112,835
2004 Zafira	19,238	49.4%	9% more fails	113,552
2003 Zafira	10,945	49.9%	11% more fails	113,693
2002 Zafira	6,628	48.3%	10% more fails	116,899
2001 Zafira	3,134	47.2%	10% more fails	117,846
2000 Zafira	1,097	53.4%	26% more fails	119,563
1999	357	51%	25% more fails	117,435

Common problems

What fails most on a Vauxhall Zafira

Its weak spot is exhaust, emissions and leaks: 92% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics15.6%7% above avg
Suspension13.2%9% above avg
Brakes9.5%12% above avg
Tyres8.9%25% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks8%92% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.6%25% above avg
Body, chassis and structure4.8%1% above avg
Steering1.9%28% below avg
Seat belts and airbags1%26% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.07% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Position lamp not working 3.39% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
3
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 3.36% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.16% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.99% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.37% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
7
Exhaust has major gas leak 2.21% of tests
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
8
Stop lamp not working 2.05% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Vauxhall Zafira's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit19.1%
Engine oil leak, not excessive12.34%
Brake disc pitted or scored11.61%
Brake pads wearing thin9.26%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.76%
Exhaust has minor gas leak6.57%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Vauxhall Zafira

1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
3
Engine warning light inoperative or lit
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Vauxhall Zafira covers about 8,600 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol65.7%
Diesel34.2%
LPG0.1%
Other0%

Most common colours

Silver, Black, Blue, Grey, Red

Average engine size: 1.7 litres.

Compare

How the Vauxhall Zafira compares with its rivals

Vauxhall Zafira against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Volkswagen Touran	32.9%	6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford C-Max	30%	about average for its age
Ford S-Max	34.6%	about average for its age
Ford Galaxy	36.9%	8% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Zafira	38.5%	12% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Meriva	37.1%	16% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Scenic	44.1%	27% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Vauxhall models.

Questions

Vauxhall Zafira questions, answered

Is the Vauxhall Zafira reliable?

On MOT results, the Vauxhall Zafira is below average: it fails 38.5% of first MOT tests, 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 30 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.

What fails most on a Vauxhall Zafira MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Vauxhall Zafira are coil spring fractured or broken (5.07% of tests), position lamp not working (3.39% of tests), engine warning light inoperative or lit (3.36% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 15.6% of its tests.

Which Vauxhall Zafira year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2015 cars do best (8% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2000 cars do worst (26% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Vauxhall Zafira do a year?

A typical Vauxhall Zafira covers about 8,600 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Vauxhall Zafira before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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