Used Vauxhall Zafira review 2005-2015 reliability review

What should I look for in a used Vauxhall Zafira?

The very nature of being an affordable people carrier means that a lot of Vauxhall Zafiras will have led tough lives as family transport or mini cabs, so you’ll need your wits about you. In addition to the usual checks for repaired crash damage, unusual engine noises, worn clutches and smoky exhausts, ensure all of the seats slide and fold as they should. You should also open and close the boot a few times, as the tailgate mechanism is a weak point.

Check that the car’s mileage is reflected in the condition of the interior, and while it is unrealistic to expect the cheapest Zafiras to come with a full service history, there should still be paperwork for recent maintenance.

A well-publicised case of Zafiras catching fire led to a recall of more than 220,000 UK cars in 2015 to upgrade parts of the heating system. This didn’t apply to Zafiras with automatic climate control (indicated by the presence of an “Auto” button to the top left of the central heating dial), but in most cases you’ll still need to check with a Vauxhall dealer to see whether the recall work has been completed.

Is a used Vauxhall Zafira reliable?

It might be cheap to buy and in plentiful supply, but the Vauxhall Zafira performs well below average in the What Car? Reliability Index. The most common faults are related to engine and electrical failures, but axle and suspension, cooling and heating, gearbox and fuel system faults are also relatively common, resulting in an average repair bill of more than £350.