2000 Vauxhall Zafira — MOT failures & pass rate
2,689 MOT tests on the 2000 Vauxhall Zafira are in this dataset, and 67.5% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.5% of the time, so this is 3.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.7%) and brakes (15.0%) 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 rbt (sp) — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 416 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 36.3% versus 25.0%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 48.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 450 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.0% | 404 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.7% | 369 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 13.7% | 367 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.5% | 229 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.9% | 186 |
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 | 416 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 261 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 154 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 152 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 142 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 142 |
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 | 48.4% | 1,300 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.3% | 815 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.6% | 768 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 26.5% | 712 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.6% | 528 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.3% | 491 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 32 | 25.0% |
| 30-60k | 89 | 23.6% |
| 60-90k | 430 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 761 | 32.1% |
| 120-150k | 754 | 34.5% |
| 150k+ | 551 | 36.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,530 | 32.6% |
| Diesel | 159 | 30.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 990 | 33.1% |
| 2022 | 692 | 32.2% |
| 2023 | 489 | 32.7% |
| 2024 | 306 | 30.7% |
| 2025 | 212 | 32.6% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Zafira
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (13.7% 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 2000 Vauxhall Zafiras pass their MOT?
67.5% of the 2,689 2000 Vauxhall Zafira MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Vauxhall Zafira?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.7% of tests, followed by brakes (15.0%).
Does the 2000 Zafira get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.0% in the 0-30k band to 36.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,689 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.