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Vauxhall Zafira reliability by build year

Coverage 1999-20142 named generationsMPVMPVPETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Vauxhall Zafira built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Vauxhall Zafiras built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Vauxhall Zafira by number plate

Key figure

20% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Zafiras built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Vauxhall Zafiras built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Vauxhall Zafira's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Zafira's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Zafira B (Zafira)

B (Zafira) (2005-2014)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

27.1% fail rate, built around 2014 (11 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 24.8%)

From 37,334 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Zafira A (Zafira)

A (Zafira) (1999-2004)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

33.2% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 3,287 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

DIESELPETROL
20,823 MOT tests across all agesNo separate page

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Vauxhall Zafira.

See every build year for the Vauxhall Zafira

Side-by-side

Vauxhall Zafira generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
B (Zafira) (2005-2014)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings27.1%built around 2014 (11 years old)from 37,334 MOT tests at this age
A (Zafira) (1999-2004)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings33.2%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 3,287 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Zafira, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Vauxhall Zafira fail rate by age

This chart combines every Vauxhall Zafira ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
1,85818.0%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
10,73720.3%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
14,37521.6%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
17,03223.4%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
24,34825.1%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
37,33427.1%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
28,11728.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
16,37729.9%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
17,74231.5%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
15,12432.2%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
12,09934.1%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
13,84334.4%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
10,03534.0%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
6,17633.7%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
5,09533.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
3,28733.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
2,03333.6%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,21033.3%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
40432.7%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
15532.9%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 17 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Vauxhall Zafira stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Vauxhall models

6th of 10

6th lowest fail rate of 10 Vauxhall models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other people carriers

17th of 33

17th lowest fail rate of 33 people carriers with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

20.3%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Vauxhall Zafiras

These issues come from 7-year-old Vauxhall Zafiras, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    22.3%
    Advisory: 3,394Fail: 294 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    13.3%
    Advisory: 1,773Fail: 237 (12% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    13.3%
    Advisory: 1,361Fail: 342 (20% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    10.4%
    Advisory: 1,130Fail: 19 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    8.0%
    Advisory: 1,037Fail: 227 (18% of the times it was found)

Based on 10,737 MOT tests on 7-year-old Vauxhall Zafiras, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Vauxhall Zafiras notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres30%
  2. Other + Tyres21%
  3. Suspension + Tyres18%
  4. Emissions & exhaust + Tyres16%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 3,838 MOT tests on Vauxhall Zafira cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

90%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

15 recalls in all

12 of the 15 Vauxhall Zafira recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 Critical
  • 9 more

Top concerns

  • Potential melting and fires within the blower motor regulator
  • Front seat side airbag may deploy incorrectly
  • Risk of fire

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers to compare

  1. 1

    Kia Venga

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    3.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.8%

    Lower fail rate: 11.8%, against 20.3% for the Vauxhall Zafira, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    5,255 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Hyundai ix20

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.5%, against 20.3% for the Vauxhall Zafira, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    3,239 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Mercedes-Benz B-Class

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.1%
    Dangerous
    5.5%

    Lower fail rate: 15.4%, against 20.3% for the Vauxhall Zafira, both built around 2018.

    6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    5,267 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Ford C-MAX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    6.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.9%

    Lower fail rate: 15.7%, against 20.3% for the Vauxhall Zafira, both built around 2018.

    7 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,727 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Vauxhall Zafira across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. It has the 6th lowest fail rate of 10 Vauxhall models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 10,737 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Vauxhall Zafira ever sold: 237,381 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 10,737 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.