Opel Zafera MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 57 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 73.7%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Opel Zafera MOT Reliability Overview
The Opel Zafera is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 57 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 26.3% and a failure rate of 73.7%, which is significantly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Opel Zafera earns a "Very Poor" reliability rating. The average Opel Zafera presents for MOT with approximately 102,514 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Opel Zafera is Brakes, affecting 82.5% of all tests. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. The second most common issue is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment at 43.9%. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions rounds out the top three at 33.3%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 121.1% | 69 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 47.4% | 27 |
| 3 | Suspension | 38.6% | 22 |
| 4 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 38.6% | 22 |
| 5 | Tyres | 36.8% | 21 |
| 6 | Driver's View Of The Road | 29.8% | 17 |
| 7 | Steering | 17.5% | 10 |
| 8 | Registration Plates And Vin | 5.3% | 3 |
| 9 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 3.5% | 2 |
| 10 | Non-component Advisories | 1.8% | 1 |
| 11 | Items Not Tested | 1.8% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 102,514 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 11.81 | 121.1% | 69 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 4.62 | 47.4% | 27 |
| Suspension | 3.76 | 38.6% | 22 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 3.76 | 38.6% | 22 |
| Tyres | 3.59 | 36.8% | 21 |
| Visibility | 2.91 | 29.8% | 17 |
| Steering | 1.71 | 17.5% | 10 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.51 | 5.3% | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 0.34 | 3.5% | 2 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.17 | 1.8% | 1 |
| Items Not Tested | 0.17 | 1.8% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Opel Zafera has 102,514 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Opel Zafera has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 7.19% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Opel Zafera MOT Data
The Opel Zafera is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 57 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 26.3% and a failure rate of 73.7%, which is significantly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Opel Zafera owners, these results suggest above-average failure risk — thorough pre-MOT checks are recommended. Focus your pre-MOT checks on brakes and lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Zafera is likely to perform.
Brakes — 82.5% of failures
Brakes issues account for 82.5% of MOT failures on the Opel Zafera. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 43.9% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 43.9% of MOT failures on the Opel Zafera. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 33.3% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 33.3% of MOT failures on the Opel Zafera. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Opel Zafera?
Based on 57 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Opel Zafera has an overall pass rate of 26.3% (73.7% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Opel Zafera?
The top 3 reasons a Opel Zafera fails its MOT are: 1. Brakes (82.5%), 2. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (43.9%), 3. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (33.3%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Opel Zafera reliable?
With a 73.7% MOT failure rate, the Zafera is less reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Opel Zafera?
Based on failure data, focus on: Brakes (82.5%); Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (43.9%); Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (33.3%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.