2017 Vauxhall Zafira diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Vauxhall Zafira diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Vauxhall Zafira diesel than on all cars registered in 2017.

• Engine warning light4.9× usual
  Vauxhall Zafira

  5.4% All 2017 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 1.1% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Front strut mounts and bushes12.5× usual
  Vauxhall Zafira

  2.5% All 2017 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Engine oil leaks2.1× usual
  Vauxhall Zafira

  3.2% All 2017 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Coil springs1.8× usual
  Vauxhall Zafira

  3.8% All 2017 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.5% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Number plates1.9× usual
  Vauxhall Zafira

  2.9% All 2017 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Common 2017 Vauxhall Zafira diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Vauxhall Zafira diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  34% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  22% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  13% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  10% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  4% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2017 Vauxhall Zafira diesel

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.

• Diesel fuel leak

  Diesel

  Diesel Zafira Tourers can leak fuel, often from the pump inside the tank.

  At the viewing: Sniff for diesel after the car has been filled up and look underneath for drips.

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Zafira Tourer common problems

• Exhaust fumes in the cabin

  Diesel

  Leaks around the EGR pipe, the turbo or the joint between the DPF and turbo can let fumes into the car.

  At the viewing: Drive with the fan on and windows shut. Any exhaust smell inside needs fixing before you buy.

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Zafira Tourer common problems

• Rear brakes that stick or rumble

  All engines

  Corrosion between the rear pads and calipers can stick the brakes, and a failed damper on the rear calipers causes a rumble when braking.

  At the viewing: After the test drive, carefully feel near each rear wheel for one much hotter than the other, and listen for a rumble when braking.

  If it needs doing: Brake pads (one axle), about £75–£175. ClickMechanic

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Zafira Tourer common problems

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 Vauxhall Zafira diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has there ever been a fuel smell or leak?
2. Has any exhaust, turbo or EGR work been done?
3. When were the rear brakes last serviced?
4. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× as often on the 2017 Vauxhall Zafira diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the front strut mounts and bushes? (Flagged at MOT 12.5× as often on the 2017 Vauxhall Zafira diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2017 Vauxhall Zafira diesel as on other cars the same age.)