2004 Vauxhall Zafira MOT pass rate: 60.8% (12,639 tests)
Is the 2004 Zafira getting worse?
Pass rate of 2004-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 58.9% -5.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 61.7% -2.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 63.2% -2.1 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2004 Zafira
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 4,313 | 24.6% |
| 2 | Suspension | 3,397 | 19.4% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2,772 | 15.8% |
| 4 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2,006 | 11.5% |
| 5 | Body, chassis, structure | 1,662 | 9.5% |
| 6 | Tyres | 1,297 | 7.4% |
All Zafira years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2,131 | 62.6% | -4.0 pts | 116,804 |
| 2002 | 4,440 | 62.3% | -3.3 pts | 116,162 |
| 2003 | 7,291 | 60.6% | -4.4 pts | 112,194 |
| 2004 (this page) | 12,639 | 60.8% | -3.5 pts | 111,832 |
| 2005 | 15,994 | 59.7% | -4.7 pts | 111,914 |
| 2006 | 23,329 | 60.0% | -4.4 pts | 113,267 |
| 2007 | 34,835 | 59.1% | -6.0 pts | 110,955 |
| 2008 | 41,095 | 60.2% | -4.9 pts | 109,011 |
| 2009 | 28,348 | 60.9% | -5.5 pts | 103,408 |
| 2010 | 48,939 | 63.4% | -4.0 pts | 103,928 |
| 2011 | 37,781 | 65.4% | -3.8 pts | 101,373 |
| 2012 | 47,642 | 69.1% | -2.1 pts | 91,194 |
| 2013 | 81,858 | 71.3% | -2.1 pts | 85,676 |
| 2014 | 81,407 | 73.7% | -2.1 pts | 80,566 |
| 2015 | 42,730 | 76.9% | -1.9 pts | 72,530 |
| 2016 | 35,128 | 78.8% | -2.6 pts | 62,344 |
| 2017 | 35,471 | 80.9% | -3.1 pts | 52,135 |
| 2018 | 14,322 | 83.6% | -2.7 pts | 44,072 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Vauxhall Zafira years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2004 Vauxhall Zafira reliable?
2004-registered examples passed 60.8% of their MOT tests (12,639 tests, 2023–2025), -3.5 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 22 years old with a median 111,832 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2004 Zafira?
The median tested example shows 111,832 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2004 Zafira?
In this cohort petrols pass 61.3% of tests against 57.5% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.