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Zongshen ZS Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Zongshen ZS car check

Is the Zongshen ZS reliable? We analysed 532 real MOT tests across 147 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 532 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
74.8%
Typical Mileage
8,220mi
Annual Mileage
1,012mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
13yrs

The Zongshen ZS is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Zongshen ZS.

Zongshen ZS Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Zongshen ZS. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Zongshen ZS MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Zongshen ZS to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

78.2%
2016
74.7%
2015
75.7%
2014
66.2%
2013

Zongshen ZS Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Zongshen ZS models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released 5

Zongshen ZS Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
344 mi/yr
Typical
1,012 mi/yr
Average
2,095 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,626 mi/yr

Zongshen ZS MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Zongshen ZS year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2016 110 78.2% 3,530 7,360 11,822
2015 154 74.7% 4,638 7,035 11,106
2014 136 75.7% 5,560 11,442 18,258
2013 65 66.2% 3,260 11,694 18,676

How Long Does a Zongshen ZS Last?

Based on 147 Zongshen ZS vehicles on UK roads.

Average
6.7 years
Median
7.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
13 years

Zongshen ZS Mileage Distribution

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

Median
8,220 mi
75th Percentile
14,157 mi
95th Percentile
26,333 mi
Max Recorded
47,237 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Zongshen ZS

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

Best year
2016

78.2% MOT pass rate from 110 tests

Year to avoid
2013

66.2% MOT pass rate from 65 tests

The best year to buy a used Zongshen ZS is 2016, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 78.2% across 110 tests. The 2013 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Zongshen ZS Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Zongshen ZS THIS CAR 74.8% 532 8,220 mi 13 yrs
Zongshen ZS 125-50 Ranger 76.3% 582 9,344 mi 16 yrs
Suzuki Gsx 1300 Ra L7 94.4% 945 7,429 mi — yrs
Volkswagen T-sporter T30 130 TDI LWB 77.4% 452 163,100 mi — yrs
Kawasaki Zx 1002 Knsnn 96.6% 179 7,422 mi — yrs

Compared to the Zongshen ZS 125-50 Ranger (76.3% pass rate) and the Suzuki Gsx 1300 Ra L7 (94.4% pass rate), the Zongshen ZS trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Zongshen ZS 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.

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Should you buy a used Zongshen ZS?

The Zongshen ZS has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.8% across 532 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Zongshen ZS with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Zongshen ZS owner drives around 1,012 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 Zongshen ZS models stay on UK roads for around 13 years. 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.

Zongshen ZS — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Zongshen ZS reliable?
Based on 532 MOT tests, the Zongshen ZS has a 74.8% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Zongshen ZS?
The most common failure point is general wear and tear.
How many miles does a Zongshen ZS do per year?
The typical Zongshen ZS does around 1,012 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Zongshen ZS last?
Most Zongshen ZS models stay on UK roads for around 13 years based on our analysis of 147 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Zongshen ZS?
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 Zongshen ZS?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Zongshen ZS is 2016 with a 78.2% pass rate across 110 tests.