Used car guide

2016 Vauxhall Zafira: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Vauxhall Zafiras, from 11,614 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,614MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
7,800typical miles a year
4.5×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Vauxhall Zafiras than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Engine oil leaks4.5× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    12.5% All 2016 cars
    2.8%
    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 system3.6× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    7.1% All 2016 cars
    2%
    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 light3.9× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    5.8% All 2016 cars
    1.5%
    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.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes11.3× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    3.4% All 2016 cars
    0.3%
    Rough price £120–£400

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

  • Individual direction indicators4.7× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    2.8% All 2016 cars
    0.6%
    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

Shock absorbers: 1.8% here, against 4.3% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Vauxhall Zafira MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    36% 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
    24% 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.

  • Suspension
    18% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    15% 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
    14% 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
    8% 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%
201514,007Tyres 36%
201426,239Tyres 38%
201325,656Tyres 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 2016 Vauxhall Zafiras registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score