Vauxhall Zafira (2011)
2011 Vauxhall Zafira
CarHunch analysed 19,665 real MOT records for the 2011 Vauxhall Zafira. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2011 Zafira's 76% first-time pass rate trails the UK average of 80%, and more alarmingly, 53% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a genuinely concerning figure that should give any potential buyer pause. Petrol and diesel versions perform nearly identically (76.6% vs 75.6% pass rates), so fuel choice won't meaningfully improve reliability outcomes here.
At 75,153 miles median, these Zafiras show typical wear for their age, but the real story is in the damage: owners face an average of 3.55 failures per test and a hefty 21.3 advisories, suggesting ongoing maintenance demands rather than isolated problems. Before committing to one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus specifically on cooling systems, gearboxes, and suspension components—the systems that typically rack up failures on this generation.
What to check before buying a 2011 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.
- ⚠️ 53% 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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (55%) | 10,890 | 75.6% | 3.53 |
| Petrol (45%) | 8,755 | 76.6% | 3.56 |
| LPG (0%) | 18 | 69.6% | 5.39 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 2 | 84.4% | 2.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2011 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 2011 Vauxhall Zafira vehicles fall between 60,827 and 91,728 miles.
2011 Vauxhall Zafira — Still on the Road
10,384 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 55% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2011 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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93.8%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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61.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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58.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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34.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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34.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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31.7%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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30.9%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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30.5%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2011. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Vauxhall Zafira?
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