2012 Vauxhall Zafira MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 60.5% of Vauxhall Zafiras first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 48,114 Zafira first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and tyres.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Vauxhall Zafiras first used in 2012 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2012 Vauxhall Zafira MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Zafiras first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Zafira figure was 3.0 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2012 Zafira | All cars first used 2012 | Zafira first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 64.9% | 68.8% | 19,294 |
| 2022 | 63.9% | 67.4% | 18,612 |
| 2023 | 61.2% | 65.6% | 17,609 |
| 2024 | 60.8% | 64.3% | 16,119 |
| 2025 | 60.5% | 63.5% | 14,386 |
Common 2012 Vauxhall Zafira MOT failures
Share of the 18,826 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 14.2% | 2,681 |
| Position lamp: not working | 9.8% | 1,848 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 9.6% | 1,812 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 8.1% | 1,526 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 7.7% | 1,455 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Zafira in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2012 Vauxhall Zafira before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Common 2012 Vauxhall Zafira MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 Zafiras, as a share of all 48,114 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 22.6% | 10,889 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 17.8% | 8,571 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 15.3% | 7,368 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 10.7% | 5,127 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 10.2% | 4,917 |
Questions about the 2012 Vauxhall Zafira MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Vauxhall Zafira?
In 2025, 60.5% of Zafiras first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2012 Zafira most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 44.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (32.0%) and tyres (22.4%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (14.2%).
How often does a 2012 Vauxhall Zafira fail its MOT?
In 2025, 39.5% of first tests on Zafiras first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 30.8% failed, and a further 8.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 18,826 of 48,114 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2012 Vauxhall Zafira MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 22.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (17.8%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (15.3%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (10.7%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (10.2%).
Is a 2012 Vauxhall Zafira reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 64.9% in 2021 to 60.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2012
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
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