Used car guide

2008 Vauxhall Zafira: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Vauxhall Zafiras, from 10,204 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

10,204MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,500typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Vauxhall Zafiras than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Engine oil leaks2× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    25.4% All 2008 cars
    12.5%
    Rough price £80–£600

    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.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    22.3% All 2008 cars
    12.2%
    Rough price £120–£300

    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.

  • Swivel pins and bushes7.3× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    8.8% All 2008 cars
    1.2%
    Rough price £120–£400

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

  • Exhaust system1.8× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    16.4% All 2008 cars
    9%
    Rough price £100–£500

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

  • Engine warning light3.1× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    8.4% All 2008 cars
    2.7%
    Rough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Drive shaft (CV) joints: 2.6% here, against 7.2% of all 2008 cars. Sub-frame: 3.7% here, against 7.8% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 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
    42% 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.

  • Tyres
    41% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    27% 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
    22% 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
201711,876Tyres 34%
201611,614Tyres 36%
201514,007Tyres 36%
201426,239Tyres 38%
201325,656Tyres 38%
201214,425Tyres 39%
201110,750Suspension 43%
201013,523Suspension 50%
20097,516Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Vauxhall Zafiras registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score