Vauxhall Zafira common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Vauxhall Zafira at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 226,377 UK MOT tests of the Vauxhall Zafira in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is exhaust system (a minor leak of exhaust gases): recorded on 3.6% of tests of 2017–2019 cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km), 12× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: engine oil leaks (leak, but not excessive) (5.9×); malfunction indicator lamp (inoperative or indicates a malfunction) (5.7×); individual direction indicators (slightly discoloured) (4.3×). The most common reasons a Vauxhall Zafira fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Vauxhall Zafira
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Vauxhall Zafira than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | Advisory | 2017–2019 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3.6% | 0.3% | 12× | 6,018 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | Advisory | 2017–2019 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 4.1% | 0.7% | 5.9× | 6,018 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | MOT fail | 2017–2019 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 4% | 0.7% | 5.7× | 643 |
| Individual direction indicators: slightly discoloured | Advisory | 2011–2013 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.9% | 0.9% | 4.3× | 2,369 |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2011–2013 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.1% | 0.9% | 3.4× | 2,369 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | MOT fail | 2014–2016 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.3% | 1.2% | 2.8× | 6,058 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2004–2006 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 9% | 3.7% | 2.4× | 5,673 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | Advisory | 2002–2004 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 10% | 3.9% | 2.6× | 2,136 |
Vauxhall Zafira by mileage (2013–2015 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 555 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (13%) | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (9%, 1.9×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 5,228 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (14%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (4.9%, 7×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 15,226 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6%, 4.6×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 20,805 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (21%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.3%, 4.2×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 15,497 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (23%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (5.6%, 4×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 8,187 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (25%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (5.4%, 4.5×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 3,523 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (24%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (13%, 2.8×) |
| 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 1,638 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (23%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (15%, 2.7×) |
| 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 2,061 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (22%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (20%, 2.4×) |
Vauxhall Zafira by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 905 | Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.2×) |
| 2002 | 1,884 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.9×) |
| 2003 | 3,109 | Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.8×) |
| 2004 | 5,392 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.6×) |
| 2005 | 6,662 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.6×) |
| 2006 | 10,453 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.7×) |
| 2007 | 15,056 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3×) |
| 2008 | 17,579 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.3×) |
| 2009 | 11,506 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.3×) |
| 2010 | 19,299 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.1×) |
| 2011 | 14,580 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.3×) |
| 2012 | 17,599 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (6.1×) |
| 2013 | 29,371 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (6.3×) |
| 2014 | 28,542 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (7×) |
| 2015 | 14,807 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (5.3×) |
| 2016 | 12,092 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (5.6×) |
| 2017 | 12,145 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (8.4×) |
| 2018 | 4,946 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (12×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Vauxhall Zafira?
In 226,377 UK MOT tests of the Vauxhall Zafira in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is exhaust system (a minor leak of exhaust gases): recorded on 3.6% of tests of 2017–2019 cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km), 12× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: engine oil leaks (leak, but not excessive) (5.9×); malfunction indicator lamp (inoperative or indicates a malfunction) (5.7×); individual direction indicators (slightly discoloured) (4.3×). The most common reasons a Vauxhall Zafira fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively).
Why do Vauxhall Zafiras fail the MOT?
Across 226,377 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Vauxhall Zafira were coil spring (fractured or broken) (6.9% of tests); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick) (3.7% of tests); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (3.4% of tests).
At what mileage do Vauxhall Zafira problems start?
The clearest Vauxhall Zafira-specific issue, exhaust system (a minor leak of exhaust gases), peaks against other cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) on 2017–2019 cars (3.6% of tests vs 0.3% for all cars that age).
Where does this Vauxhall Zafira data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 226,377 tests of the Vauxhall Zafira. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.