Vauxhall Zafira common problems and MOT failures

What usually goes wrong with a Vauxhall Zafira?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

• Heater blower resistor fire recall

  Cars registered 2005–2014 · All engines

  The heater fan resistor can overheat and start a fire. The first recall fix wasn’t always done properly, so cars were recalled a second time.

  At the viewing: Check every fan speed works. Ask a Vauxhall dealer to confirm both recalls were done.

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Zafira common problems (2005-2011)

• Diesel fuel leak

  Cars registered 2015–2018 · 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

  Cars registered 2015–2018 · 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

• Stalling and not restarting (1.9 CDTi)

  Cars registered 2005–2014 · 1.9 CDTi diesel

  The diesel can suddenly stall and refuse to restart, usually from a faulty fuel pressure regulator on the high-pressure pump.

  At the viewing: Ask whether it has ever cut out, and check for warning lights.

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Zafira common problems (2005-2011)

• Sticky gearchange and scraping noise

  Cars registered 2005–2014 · Manual gearbox

  Third to fourth can feel sticky and there can be a scraping noise between fifth and sixth. Fixing it means taking the gearbox out.

  At the viewing: Change through all the gears and listen for scraping at around 2,000rpm.

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Zafira common problems (2005-2011)

• Rear brakes that stick or rumble

  Cars registered 2015–2018 · 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

• Starter that runs by itself

  Cars registered 2005–2014 · All engines

  Water getting into the engine control unit can make the starter run when it shouldn’t.

  At the viewing: Make sure the starter stops as soon as the engine fires.

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Zafira common problems (2005-2011)

• Wrong fuel gauge reading

  Cars registered 2005–2014 · All engines

  A software fault in the instrument cluster can make the fuel gauge unreliable.

  At the viewing: Compare the gauge with the trip computer’s range.

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Zafira common problems (2005-2011)

Common Vauxhall Zafira MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

• Exhaust system

  up to 6.1× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

  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.

• Engine oil leaks

  up to 6× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

  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.

• Coil springs

  up to 2× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  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.

• Engine warning light

  up to 4.7× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Steering swivel joints

  up to 8.8× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Rigid brake pipes

  up to 2.2× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Diesel

• Coil springs

  up to 2.3× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  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.

• Steering swivel joints

  up to 9.4× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Brake discs

  up to 1.9× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  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.

• Battery

  up to 10.6× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

  Rough price £80–£200 our estimate

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

• Engine oil leaks

  up to 2.4× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

  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.

• Individual direction indicators

  up to 6.1× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Vauxhall Zafira MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2015 Vauxhall Zafira did best (71% passed first time, 3 points below all 2015 cars) and the 2009 did worst (52%, 7 points below all 2009 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Vauxhall Zafira

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Have both heater resistor recalls been done by a Vauxhall dealer?
2. Has there ever been a fuel smell or leak?
3. Has any exhaust, turbo or EGR work been done?
4. When were the rear brakes last serviced?
5. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 5.9× as often on the Vauxhall Zafira as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× as often on the Vauxhall Zafira as on other cars the same age.)