2016 Vauxhall Zafira — MOT failures & pass rate
71,043 MOT tests on the 2016 Vauxhall Zafira are in this dataset, and 83.6% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (15.3% fail rate), the 2016 Zafira comes out 1.1pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.5%) and visibility (5.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are malfunction indicator lamp, brake pads and wipers — malfunction indicator lamp alone was recorded 2,691 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 15.9% versus 10.2%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.2pp more often than petrol ones (17.8% vs 15.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.5% | 4,633 |
| 2 | Visibility | 5.2% | 3,707 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.2% | 3,706 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 3,313 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.3% | 3,086 |
| 6 | Suspension | 3.1% | 2,229 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 2,691 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 2,550 |
| 3 | Wipers | 2,544 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 2,341 |
| 5 | Washers | 1,567 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 1,327 |
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 | 28.0% | 19,889 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.4% | 13,103 |
| 3 | Other defects | 12.2% | 8,654 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.6% | 5,368 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.1% | 5,035 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 2,882 |
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 | 8,298 | 10.2% |
| 30-60k | 32,460 | 14.9% |
| 60-90k | 20,504 | 19.4% |
| 90-120k | 6,322 | 21.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,958 | 18.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,483 | 15.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 42,849 | 15.5% |
| Diesel | 28,168 | 17.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,109 | 13.7% |
| 2022 | 14,250 | 14.9% |
| 2023 | 14,390 | 16.7% |
| 2024 | 14,193 | 17.4% |
| 2025 | 14,101 | 19.1% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Zafira
On a 2016 Zafira, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.5% 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.
- Visibility (5.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (5.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2016 Vauxhall Zafiras pass their MOT?
83.6% of the 71,043 2016 Vauxhall Zafira MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Vauxhall Zafira?
Tyres, recorded in 6.5% of tests, followed by visibility (5.2%).
Does the 2016 Zafira get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.2% in the 0-30k band to 15.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 71,043 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.