Opel Zafra MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 46 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 65.2%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Opel Zafra MOT Reliability Overview
The Opel Zafra is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 46 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 34.8% and a failure rate of 65.2%, which is significantly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Opel Zafra earns a "Very Poor" reliability rating. The average Opel Zafra presents for MOT with approximately 109,856 miles on the clock. The 2000 manufacture year performs best with a 45.2% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Opel Zafra is Brakes, affecting 73.9% 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 52.2%. Tyres rounds out the top three at 52.2%. 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
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* 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 | 128.3% | 59 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 71.7% | 33 |
| 3 | Suspension | 63.0% | 29 |
| 4 | Tyres | 60.9% | 28 |
| 5 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 30.4% | 14 |
| 6 | Driver's View Of The Road | 19.6% | 9 |
| 7 | Steering | 15.2% | 7 |
| 8 | Body, Structure And General Items | 2.2% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 109,856 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 | 11.68 | 128.3% | 59 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 6.53 | 71.7% | 33 |
| Suspension | 5.74 | 63.0% | 29 |
| Tyres | 5.54 | 60.9% | 28 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 2.77 | 30.4% | 14 |
| Visibility | 1.78 | 19.6% | 9 |
| Steering | 1.39 | 15.2% | 7 |
| Body & Structure | 0.20 | 2.2% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Opel Zafra has 109,856 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 Zafra has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 5.94% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Opel Zafra MOT Data
The Opel Zafra is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 46 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 34.8% and a failure rate of 65.2%, which is significantly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Opel Zafra 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 Zafra is likely to perform.
Brakes — 73.9% of failures
Brakes issues account for 73.9% of MOT failures on the Opel Zafra. 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 — 52.2% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 52.2% of MOT failures on the Opel Zafra. 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.
Tyres — 52.2% of failures
Tyres issues account for 52.2% of MOT failures on the Opel Zafra. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Opel Zafra?
Based on 46 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Opel Zafra has an overall pass rate of 34.8% (65.2% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Opel Zafra?
The top 3 reasons a Opel Zafra fails its MOT are: 1. Brakes (73.9%), 2. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (52.2%), 3. Tyres (52.2%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Opel Zafra reliable?
With a 65.2% MOT failure rate, the Zafra is less reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Opel Zafra?
Based on failure data, focus on: Brakes (73.9%); Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (52.2%); Tyres (52.2%). 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.