2012 · 12 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2012 Vauxhall Zafira MOT pass rate and common faults

15,871 MOT tests in 2024. 60.8% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

95Below average
Passed first time60.8%
Failed or needed repairs39.2%
Typical mileage at test92,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 15,871 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.0%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.0%
    766 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.2%
    670 marked dangerous
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.1%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
    651 marked dangerous
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.7%
  7. Position lamp: not working2.6%
  8. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.3%
  9. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour2.3%
  10. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics24.9%
  2. Suspension14.8%
  3. Brakes12.4%
  4. Tyres9.9%
  5. Emissions & leaks7.9%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.3%
  7. Body & chassis4.9%
  8. Steering1.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm23.5%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine18.0%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened15.5%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.9%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.2%

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 2012 Vauxhall Zafira?

In 2024, 60.8% of 2012 Vauxhall Zafira cars passed their MOT first time, across 15,871 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Vauxhall Zafira?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2012 Vauxhall Zafira reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 95, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).