2006 · 18 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2006 Vauxhall Zafira MOT pass rate and common faults

7,468 MOT tests in 2024. 51.3% passed first time, compared with 56.1% for all cars the same age.

91Well below average
Passed first time51.3%
Failed or needed repairs48.7%
Typical mileage at test114,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 7,468 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken6.5%
  2. Position lamp: not working4.9%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.6%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.5%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.5%
  6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases4.4%
  7. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.8%
  8. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.3%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.2%
    393 marked dangerous
  10. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.2%
    320 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics34.4%
  2. Suspension28.8%
  3. Brakes27.5%
  4. Emissions & leaks17.9%
  5. Tyres10.7%
  6. Body & chassis9.9%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.6%
  8. Steering4.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.9%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine20.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened16.4%
  4. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)14.5%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded12.9%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2005 ZafiraAll Zafira years2007 Zafira →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2006 Vauxhall Zafira?

In 2024, 51.3% of 2006 Vauxhall Zafira cars passed their MOT first time, across 7,468 tests. The average for all 18-year-old cars was 56.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2006 Vauxhall Zafira?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; position lamp: not working; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2006 Vauxhall Zafira reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 91, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).