Vauxhall Zafira (2001)
2001 Vauxhall Zafira
CarHunch analysed 32,989 real MOT records for the 2001 Vauxhall Zafira. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2001 Vauxhall Zafira has a 69.5% first-time MOT pass rate, sitting well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly one in three (32.8%) have recorded dangerous defects during their MOT history—a serious concern that should push you towards a pre-purchase inspection. Petrol models fare marginally better at 69.9% pass rate versus diesels at 67.9%, though neither inspires confidence.
At nearly 92,000 miles on average, these cars are racking up typical mileage for their age, but they're arriving at MOT with an average of 4.6 failures and 18.4 advisories per test—well above what you'd hope to see. Before buying, check the full MOT history for repeated failures in the same areas (suspension, brakes, and steering are common weak points on this generation), and budget for immediate remedial work rather than expecting a clean example.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2001 Vauxhall 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.
- ⚠️ 32.8% 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 Vauxhall 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (78%) | 25,866 | 69.9% | 4.61 |
| Diesel (22%) | 7,096 | 67.9% | 4.67 |
| LPG (0%) | 24 | 69.5% | 4.92 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 2 | 86.7% | 2 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 81.8% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2001 Vauxhall 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.
Half of all 2001 Vauxhall Zafira vehicles fall between 70,446 and 100,637 miles.
2001 Vauxhall Zafira — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,220 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2001 Vauxhall Zafira
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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99.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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95.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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70.8%
Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated
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66.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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62.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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56.7%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
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54.8%
Oil leak
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50.3%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Vauxhall Zafira?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.