Petrol Vauxhall Zafira: MOT pass rate

69.4% of petrol Vauxhall Zafiras pass the MOT first time, measured across 132,461 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 89,674.

Petrol against the other Vauxhall Zafira versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the Vauxhall Zafira specifically, petrol is the strongest at 69.4%, and this petrol version sits 0.2 points above 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 petrol Vauxhall Zafira had covered 89,674 miles at test, against 104,253 for the diesel. That is above average, the point where suspension bushes, drop links and exhaust corrosion start showing up as advisories before they become failures.

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 petrol Vauxhall Zafira

1. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 1.8% of tests (5.08x the national rate for this defect)
2. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 2.1% of tests (4.19x the national rate for this defect)
3. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 3.7% of tests (3.61x the national rate for this defect)
4. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 4.6% of tests (3.57x the national rate for this defect)
5. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 4.8% of tests (2.11x the national rate for this defect)
6. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 3.8% of tests (1.78x the national rate for this defect)
7. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.9% of tests (1.74x the national rate for this defect)
8. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.9% of tests (1.7x the national rate for this defect)
9. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 1.8% of tests (1.49x the national rate for this defect)
10. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.5% of tests (1.48x the national rate for this defect)

From 133,248 DVSA-tracked petrol Vauxhall Zafira tests, 2024, split out from the Vauxhall Zafira's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.01% 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 petrol 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, 4.5% of tests (7.02x the national rate for this defect)
2. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 11.8% of tests (4.13x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 19.9% of tests (3.58x the national rate for this defect)
4. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 3.4% of tests (2.46x the national rate for this defect)
5. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 10.6% of tests (2.24x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 5.1% of tests (1.92x the national rate for this defect)
7. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 10.5% of tests (1.7x the national rate for this defect)
8. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 18.2% of tests (1.48x the national rate for this defect)
9. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 4.6% of tests (1.45x the national rate for this defect)
10. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 12.1% of tests (1.29x the national rate for this defect), also fails

From 133,248 DVSA-tracked petrol Vauxhall Zafira tests, 2024.

Other Vauxhall Zafira fuel types

• Diesel Vauxhall Zafira - 68.9%

All Vauxhall Zafira MOT data · Every model