2003 Vauxhall Zafira — MOT failures & pass rate
23,990 MOT tests on the 2003 Vauxhall Zafira are in this dataset, and 69.3% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail at 30.0%, so the 2003 Zafira sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.4%) and suspension (14.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, catalyst emissions and position lamp — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 2,320 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2003 Zafira fails 31.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 34.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.9 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 30.6% of the time against 31.9% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 46.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.9% in 2021 to 29.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 3,934 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.5% | 3,472 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.9% | 3,324 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.8% | 2,346 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 2,061 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.6% | 1,576 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,320 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 1,666 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,552 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 1,414 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 1,374 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 1,230 |
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 | 46.3% | 11,104 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.0% | 8,387 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.7% | 7,122 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 23.3% | 5,589 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.3% | 4,637 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.5% | 4,205 |
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 | 382 | 31.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,012 | 22.8% |
| 60-90k | 4,056 | 26.8% |
| 90-120k | 7,844 | 30.6% |
| 120-150k | 6,412 | 32.0% |
| 150k+ | 3,403 | 34.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 21,444 | 30.6% |
| Diesel | 2,543 | 31.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,264 | 31.9% |
| 2022 | 5,958 | 30.6% |
| 2023 | 4,401 | 30.5% |
| 2024 | 3,088 | 29.2% |
| 2025 | 2,279 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Zafira
On a 2003 Zafira, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.5% 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.
- Brakes (13.9% 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.
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 2003 Vauxhall Zafiras pass their MOT?
69.3% of the 23,990 2003 Vauxhall Zafira MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Vauxhall Zafira?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by suspension (14.5%).
Does the 2003 Zafira get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.1% in the 0-30k band to 34.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,990 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.