1999 Vauxhall Zafira — MOT failures & pass rate
711 MOT tests on the 1999 Vauxhall Zafira are in this dataset, and 69.5% of them passed. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (29.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.2%) and emissions & environmental (13.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, rigid brake pipes and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 140 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 32.7% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 48.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.6% in 2021 to 27.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.2% | 115 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 13.9% | 99 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.6% | 97 |
| 4 | Brakes | 12.8% | 91 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 47 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.5% | 39 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 140 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 51 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 44 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 42 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 39 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 34 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 48.8% | 347 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.4% | 223 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.7% | 204 |
| 4 | Other defects | 23.4% | 166 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 21.4% | 152 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.3% | 130 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 35 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 147 | 28.6% |
| 90-120k | 191 | 27.8% |
| 120-150k | 156 | 34.6% |
| 150k+ | 150 | 32.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 263 | 31.6% |
| 2022 | 175 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 138 | 31.2% |
| 2024 | 80 | 28.7% |
| 2025 | 55 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Zafira
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (13.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (13.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1999 Vauxhall Zafiras pass their MOT?
69.5% of the 711 1999 Vauxhall Zafira MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Vauxhall Zafira?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.2% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (13.9%).
Does the 1999 Zafira get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.9% in the 30-60k band to 32.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 711 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.