2006 Vauxhall Zafira 1.6L Petrol · AG06 DTU

The 1.6-litre petrol engine in this Zafira typically returns around 32-38 mpg in real-world driving, though a 20-year-old example with over 100,000 miles on the clock may struggle to achieve those figures. Fuel costs will depend heavily on usage, but expect to budget around £1,200-£1,600 annually for fuel if covering a typical 8,000-10,000 miles. Insurance for a 2006 Zafira 1.6 sits in group 7-9, making it relatively affordable to insure at perhaps £400-£600 per year for an experienced driver.

Road tax for a 2006 petrol of this engine size falls into the older pre-2007 emissions brackets, costing around £200-£220 per year. The Zafira is a seven-seat MPV, so if you need to use all seats regularly, expect fuel economy to drop by 15-20% compared to five-seat running. Parts availability is good and relatively cheap given the model's popularity, but labour costs at main dealers can be high.

Estimated annual running cost for this vehicle, covering fuel, tax, insurance, and typical maintenance, is approximately £1,800-£2,400. Higher-than-average mileage on an ageing vehicle means you should also set aside a contingency fund of £300-£500 for unexpected repairs during the year. The combination of age, mileage, and MOT history on this particular example means prudent budgeting is essential.

The MOT failure history shows no recorded defect types for either of the failed tests in 2023 and 2024, which is unusual. When defect types are not recorded in the summary provided, this may indicate the failures were for items where the retest exemption applied, or the data simply hasn't captured the specific reasons. Either way, you need to ask the seller directly what was repaired and inspect the relevant components yourself. Focus particularly on the shock absorbers and anti-roll bar components, which are the most common failure points across the Zafira range according to the model aggregate data covering over 265,000 vehicles.

Check the engine warning light operation carefully during a cold start and at idle — the model aggregate data flags 'engine mil inoperative' as one of the top three failure reasons for Zafiras. If the light does not illuminate on ignition, or stays on after start-up, this needs immediate investigation as it will result in an MOT failure. Also inspect all suspension components visually for leaks from the shock absorbers, condition of the anti-roll bar bushes, and any play in the wheel bearings.

Beyond the MOT-related items, inspect the exhaust system for corrosion around the joins and mounting points, check for oil leaks around the valve cover gasket, and test all electrical features including the central locking, electric windows, and rear hatch release. The Zafira's rear hatch struts commonly fail around this age, and the sliding rear door mechanisms can become stiff or seize. A 20-year-old car with this mileage will inevitably have age-related wear, so the question is whether the wear is proportional to the mileage or indicative of neglect.