2009 Vauxhall Zafira: petrol or diesel?
Petrol, diesel and hybrid versions go wrong in different ways, so each has its own figures from the MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Pick the one you’re looking at: the fuel is on the logbook and in the car’s MOT history.
Hybrid versions had too few MOTs for figures of their own, or weren’t sold.
Known faults on every 2009 Vauxhall Zafira
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- All engines
Heater blower resistor fire recall
The heater fan resistor can overheat and start a fire. The first recall fix wasn’t always done properly, so cars were recalled a second time.
At the viewing: Check every fan speed works. Ask a Vauxhall dealer to confirm both recalls were done.
- Manual gearbox
Sticky gearchange and scraping noise
Third to fourth can feel sticky and there can be a scraping noise between fifth and sixth. Fixing it means taking the gearbox out.
At the viewing: Change through all the gears and listen for scraping at around 2,000rpm.
- All engines
Starter that runs by itself
Water getting into the engine control unit can make the starter run when it shouldn’t.
At the viewing: Make sure the starter stops as soon as the engine fires.
- All engines
Wrong fuel gauge reading
A software fault in the instrument cluster can make the fuel gauge unreliable.
At the viewing: Compare the gauge with the trip computer’s range.
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Other years
Every year of the Vauxhall Zafira compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 14,390 | Tyres 33% |
| 2017 | 35,643 | Tyres 34% |
| 2016 | 35,334 | Tyres 34% |
| 2015 | 42,941 | Tyres 36% |
| 2014 | 81,860 | Tyres 37% |
| 2013 | 82,336 | Tyres 37% |
| 2012 | 47,957 | Tyres 38% |
| 2011 | 38,045 | Tyres 40% |
| 2010 | 49,287 | Suspension 46% |
| 2008 | 41,469 | Suspension 51% |
| 2007 | 35,189 | Suspension 52% |
| 2006 | 23,570 | Suspension 54% |
| 2005 | 16,136 | Brakes 54% |
| 2004 | 12,757 | Brakes 55% |
| 2003 | 7,364 | Brakes 52% |
| 2002 | 4,473 | Brakes 52% |
| 2001 | 2,155 | Brakes 56% |
| 2000 | 739 | Brakes 53% |
| 1999 | 210 | Brakes 55% |