Used car guide

2006 Vauxhall Zafira: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Vauxhall Zafiras, from 5,432 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,432MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
6,000typical miles a year
3.8×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Vauxhall Zafiras than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.8× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    14.8% All 2006 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    20.5% All 2006 cars
    11.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Engine oil leaks1.6× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    22.5% All 2006 cars
    13.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Exhaust system1.9× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    17.8% All 2006 cars
    9.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 2.4% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Steering swivel joints6× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    8.4% All 2006 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.2% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Drive shaft (CV) joints: 2.1% here, against 7.6% of all 2006 cars. Ball joint dust cover: 1.8% here, against 4.9% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Vauxhall Zafira MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    46% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    41% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    39% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    24% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    21% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20184,825Tyres 36%
201711,881Tyres 35%
201611,618Tyres 36%
201514,008Tyres 36%
201426,240Tyres 38%
201325,656Tyres 38%
201214,427Tyres 39%
201110,750Suspension 43%
201013,524Suspension 50%
20097,516Suspension 52%
200810,205Suspension 54%
20078,564Suspension 54%
20053,875Brakes 55%
20042,953Brakes 54%
20031,734Brakes 52%
20021,053Brakes 52%
2001520Brakes 56%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Vauxhall Zafiras registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score