Used car guide

2018 Vauxhall Zafira: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Vauxhall Zafiras, from 4,825 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,825MOT tests in 2025
77%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
7,400typical miles a year
5.4×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Vauxhall Zafiras than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Engine oil leaks5.4× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    7.6% All 2018 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    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 system6.5× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    7.1% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.2% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

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

  • Front strut mounts and bushes15× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    3% All 2018 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

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

  • Coolant leak25× usual
    Vauxhall Zafira
    2.5% All 2018 cars
    0.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£500 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the coolant level is between the marks and look for dried crust around hoses and the radiator.

By area

The share of 2018 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
    22% 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
    12% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    8% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    8% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Diesel fuel leak
    Diesel

    Diesel Zafira Tourers can leak fuel, often from the pump inside the tank.

    At the viewing: Sniff for diesel after the car has been filled up and look underneath for drips.

    Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Zafira Tourer common problems

  • Exhaust fumes in the cabin
    Diesel

    Leaks around the EGR pipe, the turbo or the joint between the DPF and turbo can let fumes into the car.

    At the viewing: Drive with the fan on and windows shut. Any exhaust smell inside needs fixing before you buy.

    Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Zafira Tourer common problems

  • Rear brakes that stick or rumble
    All engines

    Corrosion between the rear pads and calipers can stick the brakes, and a failed damper on the rear calipers causes a rumble when braking.

    At the viewing: After the test drive, carefully feel near each rear wheel for one much hotter than the other, and listen for a rumble when braking.

    If it needs doing: Brake pads (one axle), about £75–£175. ClickMechanic

    Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Zafira Tourer common problems

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201711,881Tyres 35%
201611,618Tyres 36%
201514,008Tyres 36%
201426,240Tyres 38%
201325,656Tyres 38%
201214,427Tyres 39%
201110,750Suspension 43%
201013,524Suspension 50%
20097,516Suspension 52%
200810,205Suspension 54%
20078,564Suspension 54%
20065,432Suspension 54%
20053,875Brakes 55%
20042,953Brakes 54%
20031,734Brakes 52%
20021,053Brakes 52%
2001520Brakes 56%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Vauxhall Zafiras registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score