Zontes Firefly Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Zontes Firefly car check
Is the Zontes Firefly reliable? We analysed 515 real MOT tests across 160 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Zontes Firefly? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Zontes Firefly is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Zontes Firefly.
Zontes Firefly Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Zontes Firefly. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Zontes Firefly MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Zontes Firefly to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Zontes Firefly Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Zontes Firefly models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Zontes Firefly Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Zontes Firefly owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Zontes Firefly MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Zontes Firefly year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 88 | 73.9% | 2,418 | 5,167 | 9,705 |
| 2019 | 72 | 75.0% | 3,847 | 6,884 | 10,190 |
| 2018 | 174 | 68.4% | 2,994 | 6,834 | 8,691 |
| 2017 | 165 | 70.3% | 4,033 | 6,517 | 9,751 |
How Long Does a Zontes Firefly Last?
Based on 160 Zontes Firefly vehicles on UK roads.
Zontes Firefly Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Zontes Firefly 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 Zontes Firefly
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
75.0% MOT pass rate from 72 tests
68.4% MOT pass rate from 174 tests
The best year to buy a used Zontes Firefly is 2019, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 75.0% across 72 tests. The 2018 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Zontes Firefly Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zontes Firefly THIS CAR | 70.9% | 515 | 6,672 mi | — yrs |
| Zontes Zt | 70.2% | 3,555 | 8,930 mi | 14 yrs |
| Zontes Zt 125-G1 | 82.9% | 826 | 5,887 mi | — yrs |
| Zontes Scorpion 125 | 69% | 787 | 5,976 mi | — yrs |
| Citroen Berlingo 1.9D 800 | 67.1% | 167 | 146,799 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Zontes Zt (70.2% pass rate) and the Zontes Zt 125-G1 (82.9% pass rate), the Zontes Firefly sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Zontes Firefly 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 Zontes FireflyShould you buy a used Zontes Firefly?
The Zontes Firefly has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.9% across 515 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Zontes Firefly with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Zontes Firefly owner drives around 966 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.
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.