Opel Zafira (2003)

203 real MOT outcomes analysed • 71.1% first-time pass rate

2003 Opel Zafira

CarHunch analysed 203 real MOT records for the 2003 Opel Zafira. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 8.9% below UK average
71.1%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
86,324
typical mileage
68,260–126,278 middle half
29.1%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
4.05
avg MOT failures per car
over 13.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2003 Opel Zafira

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • ⚠️ 29.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Opel Zafira

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (53%) 107 70.9% 3.91
Petrol (45%) 91 71.7% 4.34
Other (2%) 5 65.4% 2

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Opel Zafira vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

68,260
low mileage
86,324
typical
126,278
high mileage

Half of all 2003 Opel Zafira vehicles fall between 68,260 and 126,278 miles.

2003 Opel Zafira — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (9% of peak).

132 12 2014 2024

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.

MOT History Averages

13.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
4.05
Avg failures per vehicle
17.9
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Opel Zafira

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 82%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 79.1%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 58.9%
    Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated
  • 58.7%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 56.3%
    Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
  • 54.6%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 45.2%
    Oil leak
  • 44.6%
    Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Opel Zafira?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Opel Zafira:

1999 2000 2001 2002