CarCostCheck

VAUXHALL ZAFIRA (1999)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 219 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1796cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £2397/year to run. 17 points below average.

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Petrol1796cc27 years old219 tests123k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1796cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1796cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,397
Per month£200/mo
Per week£46/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

65% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 17 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VAUXHALL brand average of 84%.

At 27 years old, 65% of VAUXHALL ZAFIRAs from 1999 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 219 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 123,366 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 cars341th of 375(top 91%)
Rank among VAUXHALL models861th of 882(top 98%)
vs national average-17%(82% avg)
vs 1999 cars average-10%(75% avg)
vs VAUXHALL average-19%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

123,366

Average miles

vs

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1999 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA has 123,366 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2018 model with a 86% MOT pass rate, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 65%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

VAUXHALL ZAFIRA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201886%7,94848,589 mi
201784%19,18257,186 mi
201683%19,43569,725 mi
201581%24,36479,658 mi
201479%47,16387,407 mi
201378%47,85191,885 mi
201276%28,72896,866 mi
201173%23,998106,807 mi
201072%32,021108,515 mi
200970%18,589107,690 mi
200869%27,404113,639 mi
200768%22,972114,567 mi
200669%15,366117,052 mi
200569%10,501117,280 mi
200470%8,351117,412 mi
200369%4,657117,922 mi
200271%2,799121,379 mi
200171%1,295121,885 mi
200066%452133,027 mi
199965%219123,366 mi

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About the 1999 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA

The 1999 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA is a family car with a 1796cc petrol engine. 219 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 91% of 1999 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 123,366 miles at 27 years old, VAUXHALL ZAFIRA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1999 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA Fuel Costs

The 1796cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1999 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 65% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

VAUXHALL ZAFIRA Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 1999 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA

At 27 years old, the VAUXHALL ZAFIRA is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1999 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 27 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 123k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 65% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1999 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VAUXHALL ZAFIRA(1999)65%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2397
TOYOTA YARIS(2001)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£675
FORD FOCUS(2001)68%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027-£370
MAZDA MX-5(1999)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£570
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)71%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£380

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Vauxhall Models

Explore other Vauxhall cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Vauxhall Zafira.

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