2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Vauxhall Zafira MOT pass rate and common faults

9,419 MOT tests in 2024. 51.5% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

88Well below average
Passed first time51.5%
Failed or needed repairs48.5%
Typical mileage at test104,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 9,419 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken8.1%
  2. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction6.2%
  3. Position lamp: not working4.0%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.7%
    461 marked dangerous
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.7%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5%
    529 marked dangerous
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.5%
    475 marked dangerous
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.4%
  9. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.7%
  10. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics29.1%
  2. Suspension27.8%
  3. Emissions & leaks23.4%
  4. Brakes16.6%
  5. Tyres11.2%
  6. Body & chassis8.0%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.4%
  8. Steering1.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm24.0%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine20.8%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened17.3%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened13.1%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.5%

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.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 Vauxhall Zafira?

In 2024, 51.5% of 2009 Vauxhall Zafira cars passed their MOT first time, across 9,419 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Vauxhall Zafira?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 Vauxhall Zafira reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 88, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).