Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 Vauxhall Zafira?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2016 Vauxhall Zafira?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2016 Vauxhall Zafira?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2016 Vauxhall Zafira vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

42% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2016 Vauxhall Zafira reliable?

Based on MOT data from 11,960 vehicles, the 2016 Vauxhall Zafira has a first-time MOT pass rate of 83.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2016 Vauxhall Zafira?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 Vauxhall Zafira are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (53.7% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (49.4% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (31.9% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2016 Vauxhall Zafira?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

CarHunch

Get Started

Vauxhall Zafira (2016)

11,960 real MOT outcomes analysed • 83.2% first-time pass rate

2016 Vauxhall Zafira

CarHunch analysed 11,960 real MOT records for the 2016 Vauxhall Zafira. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2016 Vauxhall Zafira passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 83.2%, which is a mild positive, but the figure masks a serious concern: 41.5% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above acceptable levels and a genuine buyer red flag. Petrol versions perform slightly better at 84% pass rate versus 81.8% for diesels, though the difference is modest.

At 42,305 miles median (50,821 average), these Zafiras show typical mileage for their age, but the average 1.64 failures per test and 10 advisories per vehicle suggest persistent mechanical gremlins rather than isolated problems. Before buying, request the full MOT history and specifically ask what dangerous defects were recorded—this will tell you whether the car in front of you is a survivor or a recurring problem unit.

The 2016 Vauxhall Zafira has a decent first-time pass rate (83.2%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

83.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

41.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.64

Over 8.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

42k

Middle half: 32k–54k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 10 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 11,960 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 11,960 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 53.7%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 31.9%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 28.3%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · …

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 11,960 Vauxhall Zafira cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 2.2 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

84%

Petrol

7,218 vehicles

81.8%

Diesel

4,734 vehicles

Before you buy a 2016 Vauxhall Zafira

Based on MOT data from 11,960 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 41.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (60%)	7,218	84%	1.54
Diesel (40%)	4,734	81.8%	1.79

Colour Breakdown

Based on 571,775 Vauxhall Zafira vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 33.2%

189,821

Blue 21.6%

123,574

Black 17.3%

98,876

Grey 10.9%

62,055

Red 6.3%

35,960

Green 3.8%

21,592

White 3.2%

18,272

Beige 1.5%

8,624

Brown 1.3%

7,435

Turquoise 0.7%

3,997

Bronze 0.2%

1,334

Yellow 0%

235

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Vauxhall Zafira vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

42,305

typical

32,368

low mileage

53,835

high mileage

Half of all 2016 Vauxhall Zafira vehicles fall between 32,368 and 53,835 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 32,368 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 32,368–53,835 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Vauxhall Zafiras sit.

⚠ Over 72,677 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Vauxhall Zafira — Still on the Road

Almost all 2016 Vauxhall Zafiras are still on the road.

Strong survival — 10,869 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 94% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

8.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.64

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Vauxhall Zafira: All Zafira years → Which year to buy? →

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 2018

Or browse all models: Vauxhall →

Compare with another model

See how the 2016 Vauxhall Zafira stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing