2010 Vauxhall Zafira — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 126,628 MOT tests, the 2010 Vauxhall Zafira recorded a 72.9% pass rate. That is 1.5 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 25.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.0%) and suspension (15.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, pins and bushes and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 9,234 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.8% in the 0-30k band and 29.5% in the 150k+ band, a 10.7-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 27.1% of the time against 27.2% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 32.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 18,994 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.0% | 18,946 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.5% | 9,479 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.9% | 8,790 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.1% | 6,390 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 5,919 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 9,234 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 6,976 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 6,845 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 6,048 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 5,059 |
| 6 | Washers | 4,635 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 32.8% | 41,498 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.6% | 38,754 |
| 3 | Suspension | 29.7% | 37,641 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.3% | 27,008 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 17,629 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.0% | 16,473 |
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 | 532 | 18.8% |
| 30-60k | 8,471 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 37,689 | 25.5% |
| 90-120k | 48,579 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 22,848 | 29.4% |
| 150k+ | 8,438 | 29.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 71,160 | 27.1% |
| Diesel | 55,468 | 27.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 31,717 | 26.7% |
| 2022 | 29,122 | 26.8% |
| 2023 | 25,865 | 27.3% |
| 2024 | 22,030 | 27.7% |
| 2025 | 17,894 | 27.6% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Zafira
On a 2010 Zafira, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.0% 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.
- Tyres (7.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2010 Vauxhall Zafiras pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 126,628 2010 Vauxhall Zafira MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Vauxhall Zafira?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by suspension (15.0%).
Does the 2010 Zafira get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.8% in the 0-30k band to 29.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 126,628 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.