Opel Zafira Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Opel Zafira car check
Is the Opel Zafira reliable? We analysed 30,915 real MOT tests across 2,371 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Opel Zafira? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Opel Zafira is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and track rod end ball joint has excessive play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Opel Zafira.
Opel Zafira Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Opel Zafira. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Opel Zafira MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Opel Zafira to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Opel Zafira Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Opel Zafira fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Opel Zafira Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Opel Zafira owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Opel Zafira MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Opel Zafira year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 67 | 73.1% | 124,752 | 143,625 | 182,654 |
| 2009 | 60 | 73.3% | 56,452 | 88,754 | 140,650 |
| 2008 | 96 | 66.7% | 92,560 | 124,283 | 150,317 |
| 2007 | 159 | 70.4% | 93,632 | 144,891 | 206,830 |
| 2006 | 276 | 68.8% | 79,876 | 121,380 | 150,943 |
| 2005 | 217 | 71.0% | 81,296 | 115,166 | 150,794 |
| 2004 | 733 | 68.8% | 60,518 | 91,144 | 120,892 |
| 2003 | 2,655 | 70.2% | 55,912 | 82,689 | 112,976 |
| 2002 | 8,827 | 69.9% | 62,936 | 90,610 | 120,030 |
| 2001 | 9,770 | 68.1% | 67,480 | 93,144 | 121,955 |
| 2000 | 6,381 | 66.8% | 71,722 | 96,657 | 122,550 |
| 1999 | 1,362 | 66.0% | 73,346 | 98,643 | 124,262 |
How Long Does a Opel Zafira Last?
Based on 2,371 Opel Zafira vehicles on UK roads.
Opel Zafira Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Opel Zafira MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Opel Zafira
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
73.3% MOT pass rate from 60 tests
66.0% MOT pass rate from 1,362 tests
The best year to buy a used Opel Zafira is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.3% across 60 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Opel Zafira Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opel Zafira THIS CAR | 68.5% | 30,915 | 93,196 mi | 27 yrs |
| Opel Astra | 69.2% | 26,435 | 84,472 mi | 28 yrs |
| Opel Corsa | 65.8% | 19,398 | 69,011 mi | 33 yrs |
| Opel Manta | 75.9% | 9,040 | 54,163 mi | 54 yrs |
| Volkswagen Type 2 | 68.5% | 11,485 | 50,591 mi | 62 yrs |
Compared to the Opel Astra (69.2% pass rate) and the Opel Corsa (65.8% pass rate), the Opel Zafira sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Opel Zafira you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Opel ZafiraShould you buy a used Opel Zafira?
The Opel Zafira has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.5% across 30,915 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Opel Zafira are brake pipe excessively corroded (1,696 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,571), and track rod end ball joint has excessive play (1,367). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Opel Zafira owner drives around 7,494 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Opel Zafira models stay on UK roads for around 27 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.