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Opel Zafira Elegance 16V Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Opel Zafira Elegance 16V car check

Is the Opel Zafira Elegance 16V reliable? We analysed 3,179 real MOT tests across 217 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,179 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
69.2%
Typical Mileage
83,021mi
Annual Mileage
7,603mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
26yrs

The Opel Zafira Elegance 16V 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 Elegance 16V.

Opel Zafira Elegance 16V Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Opel Zafira Elegance 16V. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Opel Zafira Elegance 16V MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Opel Zafira Elegance 16V to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

73.9%
2004
69.4%
2003
69%
2002
67%
2001
68.8%
2000

Opel Zafira Elegance 16V Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Opel Zafira Elegance 16V fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Brake pipe excessively corroded 189
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 163
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 155
position lamp(s) not working 95
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 91
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 88
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 76
Registration plate lamp not working 71
coil spring broken 68
Stop lamp not working 56

Opel Zafira Elegance 16V Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Opel Zafira Elegance 16V owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
5,028 mi/yr
Typical
7,603 mi/yr
Average
8,496 mi/yr
Heavy usage
10,678 mi/yr

Opel Zafira Elegance 16V MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Opel Zafira Elegance 16V year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2004 138 73.9% 51,352 73,696 105,451
2003 815 69.4% 45,738 69,309 95,267
2002 1,699 69.0% 59,688 86,707 117,439
2001 355 67.0% 71,508 96,767 126,724
2000 141 68.8% 64,004 81,130 105,184

How Long Does a Opel Zafira Elegance 16V Last?

Based on 217 Opel Zafira Elegance 16V vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.8 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
26 years

Opel Zafira Elegance 16V Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Opel Zafira Elegance 16V MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
83,021 mi
75th Percentile
112,302 mi
95th Percentile
157,365 mi
Max Recorded
912,920 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Opel Zafira Elegance 16V

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2004

73.9% MOT pass rate from 138 tests

Year to avoid
2001

67.0% MOT pass rate from 355 tests

The best year to buy a used Opel Zafira Elegance 16V is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.9% across 138 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.0% — 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 Elegance 16V Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Opel Zafira Elegance 16V THIS CAR 69.2% 3,179 83,021 mi 26 yrs
Opel Zafira 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
Citroen Berlingo 600 HDI Enter 75 73.4% 1,224 130,406 mi — yrs

Compared to the Opel Zafira (68.5% pass rate) and the Opel Astra (69.2% pass rate), the Opel Zafira Elegance 16V sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Opel Zafira Elegance 16V?

The Opel Zafira Elegance 16V has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.2% across 3,179 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Opel Zafira Elegance 16V are brake pipe excessively corroded (189 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (163), and track rod end ball joint has excessive play (155). 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 Elegance 16V owner drives around 7,603 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 Elegance 16V models stay on UK roads for around 26 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.

Opel Zafira Elegance 16V — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Opel Zafira Elegance 16V reliable?
Based on 3,179 MOT tests, the Opel Zafira Elegance 16V has a 69.2% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Opel Zafira Elegance 16V?
The most common MOT failures are brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and track rod end ball joint has excessive play. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Opel Zafira Elegance 16V do per year?
The typical Opel Zafira Elegance 16V does around 7,603 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Opel Zafira Elegance 16V last?
Most Opel Zafira Elegance 16V models stay on UK roads for around 26 years based on our analysis of 217 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Opel Zafira Elegance 16V?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Opel Zafira Elegance 16V?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Opel Zafira Elegance 16V is 2004 with a 73.9% pass rate across 138 tests.