Is the Vauxhall Zafira reliable?

The Vauxhall Zafira has an average MOT pass rate of 73% across 20 years, based on 363,295 tests in 2026. That's 9 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2018 with a 86% pass rate.

Which year Vauxhall Zafira is best?

The 2018 Vauxhall Zafira has the highest MOT pass rate at 86%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 65%. There's a 21 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Vauxhall Zafira

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 20 years from 363,295 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

73%

Total Tests

363,295

Best Year

2018 (86%)

Years Covered

About the Vauxhall Zafira

The Vauxhall Zafira has been tested 363,295 times in 2026 MOT data across 20 model years (1999 to 2018), with an average pass rate of 73%. That's 9 points below the national average of 82%, so check the year-by-year data carefully before buying. Available as diesel and petrol and LP.

Best and Worst Years

The 2018 model is the most reliable with a 86% pass rate from 7,948 tests. The 1999 model has the lowest at 65%. With a 21 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer VAUXHALL ZAFIRAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1999) averages 123,366 miles, while the newest (2018) averages 48,589 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Vauxhall brand average of 84%, the Zafira is 11 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Vauxhall models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1364cc)

£1,137

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,737

Per month£145/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2018 details

How reliable is the Vauxhall Zafira?

vs national average-9% (82% avg)

vs Vauxhall brand average-11% (84% avg)

Best to worst year spread21 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Vauxhall Zafira by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	86%	7,948	48,589 mi
2017	84%	19,182	57,186 mi
2016	83%	19,435	69,725 mi
2015	81%	24,364	79,658 mi
2014	79%	47,163	87,407 mi
2013	78%	47,851	91,885 mi
2012	76%	28,728	96,866 mi
2011	73%	23,998	106,807 mi
2010	72%	32,021	108,515 mi
2009	70%	18,589	107,690 mi
2008	69%	27,404	113,639 mi
2007	68%	22,972	114,567 mi
2006	69%	15,366	117,052 mi
2005	69%	10,501	117,280 mi
2004	70%	8,351	117,412 mi
2003	69%	4,657	117,922 mi
2002	71%	2,799	121,379 mi
2001	71%	1,295	121,885 mi
2000	66%	452	133,027 mi
1999	65%	219	123,366 mi