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VAUXHALL ZAFIRA Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 6,640 MOT tests from 394 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every VAUXHALL ZAFIRA has the same fault.

VAUXHALL ZAFIRA's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 547/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VAUXHALL ZAFIRA that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the VAUXHALL ZAFIRA.

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Check the reliability of your Vauxhall Zafira

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

Vauxhall Zafira side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Diesel2018725/999Very good74,591 miles529 vehicles
Petrol2018780/999Very good85,324 miles548 vehicles
Petrol2017731/999Very good65,432 miles3,096 vehicles
Diesel2016676/999Good75,002 miles1,701 vehicles
Petrol2016715/999Very good70,736 miles4,938 vehicles
Diesel2015637/999Good80,289 miles3,860 vehicles
Petrol2015689/999Good77,372 miles6,136 vehicles
Diesel2014558/999Above average83,419 miles9,299 vehicles
Petrol2014630/999Good81,340 miles7,416 vehicles
Petrol2013556/999Above average84,296 miles12,511 vehicles
Diesel2012530/999Above average87,030 miles9,537 vehicles
Petrol2010484/999Average85,420 miles5,856 vehicles
Diesel2009433/999Average81,880 miles6,290 vehicles
Petrol2008413/999Average79,859 miles9,434 vehicles
Diesel2004385/999Fair84,175 miles3,932 vehicles
Petrol2003380/999Fair90,384 miles11,031 vehicles
Diesel2002384/999Fair86,566 miles4,016 vehicles
Petrol2002391/999Fair84,342 miles11,150 vehicles
Petrol2001413/999Average82,689 miles10,372 vehicles
Petrol2000426/999Average82,504 miles9,383 vehicles

How reliable is the VAUXHALL ZAFIRA?

Based on 6,640 MOT tests from 394 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

394

MOT tests

6,640

Pass rate

74.4%

Median mileage

104,417 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VAUXHALL ZAFIRA has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 552 out of 999.

Common VAUXHALL ZAFIRA MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 1,213 advisory comments and 129 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 535 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 193 advisory comments and 205 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 273 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 161 advisory comments and 27 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Exhaust

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 109 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record exhaust leaks, insecurity, or other exhaust defects found at inspection.

What to inspect

Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST HAS A MINOR LEAK OF EXHAUST GASES (6.1.2 (A))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 60 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

Indicator faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 59 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an indicator or side repeater that was not working or was insecure.

What to inspect

Check every indicator, including the side repeaters.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR DIRECTION INDICATOR INCORRECT COLOUR (4.4.3 (A))

VAUXHALL ZAFIRA MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
201567374%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20144760078.3%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20136591676.5%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20123351873.9%Tyre wear, Oil leak
20113355576.4%Tyre wear, Oil leak
20104480173.5%Tyre wear, Oil leak
20092442578.6%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20082756874.6%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20071835675.6%Tyre wear, Oil leak
20061329571.9%Tyre wear, Oil leak
2005919972.9%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20041127972.4%Corrosion, Oil leak

What to check when buying a used VAUXHALL ZAFIRA

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Exhaust. Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

  • Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

  • Indicator faults. Check every indicator, including the side repeaters.

Buying a VAUXHALL ZAFIRA?

Common problems tell you what can affect VAUXHALL ZAFIRAs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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