2011 Vauxhall Zafira 1.8L Petrol · BT60 RYH

The Zafira presents a mixed mechanical picture with an improving but incomplete maintenance trend. The most recent test on 21 October 2025 at 172,602 miles resulted in a pass, but only after a failure four days earlier on 17 October 2025 at 172,525 miles. That failure was serious, encompassing a fractured nearside rear coil spring, a major exhaust leak, a bulging front brake hose, and an insecure headlamp. The rapid retest and pass indicate those specific safety-critical items were addressed, yet the pass still carried multiple advisories, including worn and pitted front brake discs, deteriorating rear suspension bushes, an oil leak, and a severely degraded anti-roll bar linkage dust cover. This suggests reactive rather than preventative maintenance, with the owner fixing only what was legally required to pass. The mileage accumulation is broadly typical for a 2011 vehicle, averaging roughly 11,500 miles per year. The record shows a gap of nearly a year between the September 2024 test at 163,876 miles and the October 2025 tests at 172,602 miles, representing approximately 8,700 miles in that period. This is a slightly lower-than-average annual rate, which may indicate lighter use or a period of limited driving. The MOT history itself is sparse, with only five recorded tests spanning from August 2023 to October 2025, leaving significant gaps in documented oversight during the vehicle's recent life. A buyer should pay close attention to the rear suspension, which has a recurring pattern of faults. The nearside rear coil spring fractured in August 2023 and again in October 2025, while both rear beam axle mounting bushes have been flagged as worn in consecutive tests. This repeated spring failure raises questions about the condition of the offside rear spring and whether the rear suspension geometry has been compromised by long-term uneven loading or corrosion. The front braking system also demands inspection, as both front brake discs have been noted as worn and pitted across multiple tests, and the nearside front brake hose bulged under pressure during the October 2025 failure, a defect that can indicate internal deterioration and potential for sudden failure. The persistent oil leak and degraded anti-roll bar linkage dust cover point to neglected underbonnet seals and rubber components, which on a vehicle of this age and mileage often signals broader deferred maintenance. A thorough physical inspection of the subframe, mounting points, and structural corrosion around the rear suspension towers is advisable before purchase.