Used car guide

2013 Vauxhall Zafira: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Vauxhall Zafiras, from 25,656 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

25,656MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
7,600typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Vauxhall Zafiras than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Engine oil leaks3.1× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    18.2% All 2013 cars
    5.8%
    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.

  • Exhaust system2.6× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    11.8% All 2013 cars
    4.6%
    Rough price £100–£500

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

  • Coil springs1.5× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    13.3% All 2013 cars
    8.7%
    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.

  • Individual direction indicators3.3× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    6% All 2013 cars
    1.8%
    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.

  • Swivel pins and bushes5.1× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    4.1% All 2013 cars
    0.8%
    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

Shock absorbers: 2.7% here, against 6% of all 2013 cars. Track rod end: 1.6% here, against 4.8% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Vauxhall Zafira MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    38% 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.

  • Suspension
    34% 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
    33% 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
    28% 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
    20% 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
    13% 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%
201214,425Tyres 39%
201110,750Suspension 43%
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 2013 Vauxhall Zafiras registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score