At a Glance
The Vauxhall Zafira has 4 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Zafira B (2005-2014) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 6.1M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Vauxhall Zafira common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Vauxhall Zafira generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Vauxhall Zafira Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Most Common Vauxhall Zafira MOT Failures
Every reason Vauxhall Zafira vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 8.02% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 7.62% |
| 3 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 7.13% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.11% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 5.64% |
| 6 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 4.91% |
| 7 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.29% |
| 8 | Stop lamp not working | 4.18% |
| 9 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.02% |
| 10 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.88% |
| 11 | Exhaust system fault | 3.81% |
| 12 | Front lamp not working | 3.59% |
| 13 | Track rod end worn | 3.42% |
| 14 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.22% |
| 15 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.72% |
| 16 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.63% |
| 17 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.99% |
| 18 | Position lamp not working | 1.70% |
| 19 | Headlamp fault | 1.48% |
| 20 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.42% |
| 21 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.27% |
| 22 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.19% |
| 23 | Driveshaft fault | 1.15% |
| 24 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.07% |
| 25 | Rear lamp not working | 0.99% |
| 26 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.88% |
| 27 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.73% |
| 28 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.73% |
| 29 | Seat belt condition | 0.66% |
| 30 | Horn not working | 0.62% |
| 31 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.60% |
| 32 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.53% |
| 33 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.51% |
| 34 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.49% |
| 35 | Fog lamp not working | 0.43% |
| 36 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.43% |
| 37 | ABS fault | 0.42% |
| 38 | Indicator fault | 0.40% |
| 39 | Steering rack fault | 0.28% |
| 40 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.26% |
| 41 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.23% |
| 42 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.21% |
| 43 | Parking brake condition | 0.20% |
| 44 | Rear suspension fault | 0.18% |
| 45 | Airbag warning light on | 0.18% |
| 46 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.18% |
| 47 | Brake caliper fault | 0.18% |
| 48 | Front suspension fault | 0.16% |
| 49 | Brake pedal fault | 0.16% |
| 50 | Brake fluid leak | 0.15% |
| 51 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.15% |
| 52 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.13% |
| 53 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.13% |
| 54 | Engine oil leak | 0.13% |
| 55 | Steering arm worn | 0.12% |
| 56 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.11% |
| 57 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.10% |
| 58 | Spare wheel fault | 0.09% |
| 59 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.07% |
| 60 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.07% |
| 61 | Steering free play excessive | 0.07% |
| 62 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.06% |
| 63 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.06% |
| 64 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.06% |
| 65 | Drag link end worn | 0.06% |
| 66 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.06% |
| 67 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.05% |
| 68 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 69 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.05% |
| 70 | Brake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 72 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 73 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.05% |
| 74 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.05% |
| 75 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 76 | Power steering ram fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 78 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.03% |
| 79 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 81 | Electrical switch fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Chassis condition | 0.03% |
| 83 | Steering operation fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.02% |
| 85 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Body security fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Steering column fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.02% |
| 90 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 91 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 92 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 94 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 95 | Propshaft fault | 0.01% |
| 96 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 97 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 98 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 100 | Steering lock fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.01% |
| 102 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 103 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 105 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 107 | Power steering pump fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 110 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 114 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | <0.01% |
| 115 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 118 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 119 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 121 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 123 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 125 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 126 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 132 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 135 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 137 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 141 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 142 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 143 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 146 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 149 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 151 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 152 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 155 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 162 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 165 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 166 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 169 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 170 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 171 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 172 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 174 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 175 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 181 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 182 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 183 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 186 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 187 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 191 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 192 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 193 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 194 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 195 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
Showing all 195 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Vauxhall Zafira MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Vauxhall Zafira, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Vauxhall Zafira problems?
Based on analysis of 6.1M Vauxhall Zafira MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 4 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Spark ignition emissions above threshold". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Vauxhall Zafira generation has the most problems?
The Vauxhall Zafira Zafira B (2005-2014) (2005–2014) has the highest number of identified common problems (6). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Vauxhall Zafira?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Vauxhall Zafira owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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