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Vauxhall Zafira Common Problems, Faults & Repair Costs (2026)

Based on official DVSA MOT test data. View the most common MOT failure categories, pass rates, and estimated repair costs for the Vauxhall Zafira (1999–2018).

MOT Pass Rate

70.5%11.5% below national avg (82%)

Reliability rating: Average — based on approx. 55,000 tests

Dangerous Defects

2.80%

Moderate risk

Retest Rate

18.5%

of failed tests need a retest

Top MOT Failure Categories

1

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

Est. repair: £40–£200

18.8%
2

Suspension

Est. repair: £120–£450

18.2%
3

Brakes

Est. repair: £100–£350

15.5%
4

Tyres

Est. repair: £50–£120 per tyre

12.2%
5

Exhaust, fuel and emissions

Est. repair: £40–£200

10.8%

Where Faults Occur

31.0%

Front

31.0%

Rear

22.0%

Offside

Mileage Benchmarks

At 3 years

24,000 mi

At 5 years

42,000 mi

At 10 years

82,000 mi

Significantly higher or lower mileage than these benchmarks may indicate unusual usage patterns. Check the full MOT history for mileage consistency.

Is a Vauxhall Zafira a Good Buy?

The Vauxhall Zafira shows average reliability in MOT data. With a 70.5% pass rate, it sits 11.5% below the national average of 82%.

Budget for potential repairs in lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and suspension. An independent pre-purchase inspection is recommended, especially for older examples. Always check the full MOT history for recurring issues.

Vauxhall Zafira MOT Check & History

View detailed MOT pass rates by year, mileage benchmarks, and full test history data for the Vauxhall Zafira.

View Vauxhall Zafira MOT Data

Check a Specific Vauxhall Zafira

Enter a registration number to view the full MOT history for any Vauxhall Zafira.

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Other Vauxhall Models

Vauxhall Corsa

76.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Vauxhall Astra

75.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Vauxhall Insignia

74.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Vauxhall Mokka

81.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Vauxhall Meriva

73.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Vauxhall Adam

80.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

View all Vauxhall models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common MOT faults on a Vauxhall Zafira?
The top MOT failure on the Vauxhall Zafira is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, accounting for approximately 18.8% of all failures. Other common issues include suspension and brakes.
What is the Vauxhall Zafira MOT pass rate?
The Vauxhall Zafira has an estimated MOT pass rate of 70.5%, which is 11.5% below the national average of 82%. This rates the Vauxhall Zafira as "Average" for MOT reliability.
Is the Vauxhall Zafira reliable?
Based on DVSA MOT data, the Vauxhall Zafira has a average reliability record with a 70.5% pass rate. It has a dangerous defect rate of 2.80% and a retest rate of 18.5%.
How much does it cost to fix common Vauxhall Zafira MOT failures?
Typical repair costs for Vauxhall Zafira MOT failures range from £30–£200 for lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues to £120–£450 for suspension problems. Prices are estimates based on typical UK independent garage rates.
What mileage should a Vauxhall Zafira have?
Based on MOT test data, the average Vauxhall Zafira covers approximately 24,000 mi by 3 years, 42,000 mi by 5 years, and 82,000 mi by 10 years. Significantly higher or lower mileage may warrant closer inspection.
Should I buy a used Vauxhall Zafira?
The Vauxhall Zafira requires careful inspection based on MOT data. Check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before purchasing, paying particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues and mileage consistency.
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