Vauxhall Zafira: what fails at MOT
264,000 MOT tests on the Vauxhall Zafira in 2024, counted. 38% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
38% of Vauxhall Zafira tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 32.3%, so the Zafira does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (11.1% of tests), suspension (8.9% of tests) and brakes (6.8% of tests). It fails on tyres, exhaust and emissions and wipers, washers and windscreen more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 6,869 | 19.3% | 15.6% | 43,700 32,400 to 57,500 |
| 2017 | 16,044 | 23.7% | 18.2% | 52,600 39,500 to 67,600 |
| 2016 | 15,964 | 26.0% | 21.3% | 62,900 48,000 to 81,800 |
| 2015 | 19,515 | 27.8% | 24.4% | 73,500 57,100 to 93,500 |
| 2014 | 36,106 | 31.8% | 27.7% | 81,800 63,100 to 102,800 |
| 2013 | 36,357 | 35.9% | 30.6% | 87,100 67,800 to 109,000 |
| 2012 | 21,326 | 38.5% | 33.4% | 92,700 73,800 to 114,100 |
| 2011 | 17,316 | 43.2% | 36.1% | 103,300 84,500 to 124,300 |
| 2010 | 22,500 | 44.8% | 38.6% | 106,200 86,900 to 125,900 |
| 2009 | 13,093 | 48.3% | 39.8% | 105,400 86,200 to 125,600 |
| 2008 | 19,073 | 48.6% | 41.5% | 111,800 92,400 to 131,800 |
| 2007 | 16,114 | 50.4% | 41.5% | 112,700 92,500 to 133,600 |
| 2006 | 10,769 | 49.2% | 42.4% | 114,800 95,700 to 136,500 |
| 2005 | 7,380 | 49.7% | 42.2% | 115,300 93,500 to 138,800 |
| 2004 | 5,921 | 48.8% | 42.3% | 114,900 92,400 to 138,900 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Vauxhall Zafira tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Zafira | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 11.1% | 9.5% |
| Suspension | 8.9% | 8.0% |
| Brakes | 6.8% | 5.6% |
| Tyres More than most | 6.4% | 4.6% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 5.8% | 2.7% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen More than most | 4.5% | 3.5% |
| Body and structure | 3.3% | 3.0% |
| Steering | 1.2% | 1.8% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre4.4%
- Coil spring3.3%
- Headlamp aim3.3%
- Engine warning light3.2%
- Washers2.9%
- Brake pads2.8%
- Side light2.8%
- Headlamp2.5%
- Tyre tread2.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes2.1%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken3.3%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.2%
- Side light: not working2.6%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.1%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed2.0%
- Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases1.8%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.7%
- Brake light: not working1.7%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge17.6%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive10.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened9.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.3%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases5.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.5%
- Coil spring: corroded5.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Vauxhall Zafira's own MOT record
Looking at a Zafira? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.