2011 · 13 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2011 Vauxhall Zafira MOT pass rate and common faults

12,635 MOT tests in 2024. 56.9% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

92Below average
Passed first time56.9%
Failed or needed repairs43.1%
Typical mileage at test102,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 12,635 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.9%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.7%
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed4.2%
    720 marked dangerous
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.9%
    612 marked dangerous
  5. Position lamp: not working3.6%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.2%
    625 marked dangerous
  7. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.0%
  8. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.9%
  9. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour2.4%
  10. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics28.4%
  2. Suspension18.9%
  3. Brakes14.9%
  4. Tyres11.7%
  5. Emissions & leaks9.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.5%
  7. Body & chassis5.8%
  8. Steering3.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm25.0%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine20.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened18.1%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.4%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.6%

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 2011 Vauxhall Zafira?

In 2024, 56.9% of 2011 Vauxhall Zafira cars passed their MOT first time, across 12,635 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 Vauxhall Zafira?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2011 Vauxhall Zafira reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 92, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).