CarCostCheck

VAUXHALL ZAFIRA (2001)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,295 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,957

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £1957/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Petrol1598cc25 years old1,295 tests122k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1598cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£1,957
Per month£163/mo
Per week£38/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

71% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VAUXHALL brand average of 84%.

At 25 years old, 71% of VAUXHALL ZAFIRAs from 2001 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,295 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 121,885 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 cars216th of 362(top 60%)
Rank among VAUXHALL models759th of 882(top 86%)
vs national average-11%(82% avg)
vs 2001 cars average-2%(73% avg)
vs VAUXHALL average-13%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

121,885

Average miles

vs

185,000

Expected for age

The average 2001 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA has 121,885 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-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%. The 2001 sits between the two at 71%.

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 2001 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA

The 2001 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA is a small family car with a 1598cc petrol engine. 1,295 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2001, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 121,885 miles at 25 years old, VAUXHALL ZAFIRA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2001 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA Fuel Costs

The 1598cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2001 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,957 163/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2001 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA

At 25 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2018 model has the highest pass rate at 86%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2001 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 122k 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.

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 2001 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VAUXHALL ZAFIRA(2001)71%£1137£265Grp 12-25£1957
FORD FIESTA(2003)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£235
MINI MINI(2003)72%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£130
FORD FOCUS(2003)68%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027+£70
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2003)67%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1922-£35

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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