Diesel Vauxhall Zafira: MOT pass rate

68.9% of diesel Vauxhall Zafiras pass the MOT first time, measured across 67,878 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 104,253.

Diesel against the other Vauxhall Zafira versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Vauxhall Zafira specifically, petrol is the strongest at 69.4%, and this diesel version sits 0.3 points below the 69.2% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Vauxhall Zafira had covered 104,253 miles at test, against 89,674 for the petrol. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Vauxhall Zafira page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Vauxhall Zafira

1. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 1.9% of tests (3.26x the national rate for this defect)
2. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 5.8% of tests (2.57x the national rate for this defect)
3. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 4.2% of tests (2.52x the national rate for this defect)
4. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 1.7% of tests (2.12x the national rate for this defect)
5. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 4.3% of tests (1.99x the national rate for this defect)
6. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 3.1% of tests (1.82x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 8.6% of tests (1.71x the national rate for this defect)
8. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2.1% of tests (1.7x the national rate for this defect)
9. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 2% of tests (1.51x the national rate for this defect)
10. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 4.6% of tests (1.44x the national rate for this defect)

From 68,329 DVSA-tracked diesel Vauxhall Zafira tests, 2024, split out from the Vauxhall Zafira's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 6.13% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Vauxhall Zafira

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A stub axle swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn, 4.7% of tests (7.28x the national rate for this defect)
2. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 4.1% of tests (2.96x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 9.6% of tests (2.02x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 10.7% of tests (1.92x the national rate for this defect)
5. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 19.9% of tests (1.63x the national rate for this defect)
6. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 4.2% of tests (1.58x the national rate for this defect)
7. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 5% of tests (1.57x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 40.5% of tests (1.52x the national rate for this defect), also fails
9. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 13.3% of tests (1.42x the national rate for this defect), also fails
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 18.7% of tests (1.4x the national rate for this defect), also fails

From 68,329 DVSA-tracked diesel Vauxhall Zafira tests, 2024.

Other Vauxhall Zafira fuel types

• Petrol Vauxhall Zafira - 69.4%

All Vauxhall Zafira MOT data · Every model