Used car guide

2010 Vauxhall Zafira: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Vauxhall Zafiras, from 13,523 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

13,523MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
7,200typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Vauxhall Zafiras than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Engine oil leaks2.7× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    27.7% All 2010 cars
    10.2%
    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 springs1.7× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    19.8% All 2010 cars
    11.4%
    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.

  • Brake discs1.6× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    22.8% All 2010 cars
    14.6%
    Rough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Exhaust system2× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    15.5% All 2010 cars
    7.6%
    Rough price £100–£500

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

  • Swivel pins and bushes8.7× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    8.7% All 2010 cars
    1%
    Rough price £120–£400

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

Better than most

Sub-frame: 3.4% here, against 7% of all 2010 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.7% here, against 5% of all 2010 cars.

By area

The share of 2010 Vauxhall Zafira MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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.

  • Tyres
    40% 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.

  • Brakes
    38% 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
    36% 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
    29% 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
    18% 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%
20097,516Suspension 52%
200810,204Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Vauxhall Zafiras registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score