2008 · 16 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2008 Vauxhall Zafira MOT pass rate and common faults

13,440 MOT tests in 2024. 51.7% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

91Well below average
Passed first time51.7%
Failed or needed repairs48.3%
Typical mileage at test110,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 13,440 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken6.9%
  2. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction6.7%
  3. Position lamp: not working4.0%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.8%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.8%
    739 marked dangerous
  6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.7%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.6%
    781 marked dangerous
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.5%
    625 marked dangerous
  9. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.0%
  10. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.7%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics30.3%
  2. Suspension28.2%
  3. Emissions & leaks23.7%
  4. Brakes19.1%
  5. Tyres11.7%
  6. Body & chassis8.4%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.3%
  8. Steering2.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm24.4%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine22.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened17.4%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened15.1%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Vauxhall Zafira?

In 2024, 51.7% of 2008 Vauxhall Zafira cars passed their MOT first time, across 13,440 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Vauxhall Zafira?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2008 Vauxhall Zafira reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 91, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).