Used car guide

2011 Vauxhall Zafira: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Vauxhall Zafiras, from 10,750 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

10,750MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
7,500typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Vauxhall Zafiras than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Engine oil leaks2.9× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    25.5% All 2011 cars
    8.9%
    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.

  • Brake discs1.6× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    23.5% All 2011 cars
    14.5%
    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 system2.1× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    13.7% All 2011 cars
    6.4%
    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 bushes7× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    6.3% All 2011 cars
    0.9%
    Rough price £120–£400

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

  • Battery7.5× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    4.5% All 2011 cars
    0.6%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Check the car starts cleanly and there are no warning lights once running.

Better than most

Sub-frame: 2.8% here, against 5.9% of all 2011 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.9% here, against 4.8% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Vauxhall Zafira MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% 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
    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.

  • Brakes
    37% 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
    34% 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
    15% 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%
201013,523Suspension 50%
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 2011 Vauxhall Zafiras registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score