2016 Vauxhall Zafira 1.4L Petrol · DH65 CVX

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a recurring trend of reactive repairs rather than proactive upkeep. The most recent test in September 2025 at 72,567 miles resulted in an initial failure due to lighting issues and an exhaust leak. While the car passed the immediate re-test, the persistence of the front exhaust flexipipe leak, which was first noted in 2023, suggests this specific component has been ignored until it became a point of failure or significant concern. At 72,567 miles, the Zafira averages approximately 7,250 miles per year, which aligns with typical UK usage for a decade-old family car. The data shows consistent use, with roughly 5,000 miles covered between the October 2023 and 2024 tests, and another 5,800 miles between September 2024 and September 2025. This steady mileage suggests the vehicle has not suffered from long periods of stationary neglect which often leads to seal degradation or brake corrosion. A buyer must conduct a close physical inspection of the braking system and suspension components. The 2023 record flagged binding brakes on both the nearside and rear and thin pads on the offside rear, indicating a potential for caliper sticking or neglected brake-service intervals. Additionally, the worn top strut mount bushes on the front shock absorbers reported in 2023 should be checked for further play or rubber cracking, as these affect handling precision and noise over time. The exhaust system requires specific attention as the flexipipe has appeared as a recurring advisory across multiple years. The buyer should check for signs of soot or damage around the manifold where the flexi-pipe joins. Given the history of worn tyres on edges in 2022, a check of the current wheel alignment is also necessary to ensure that previous uneven wear does not indicate a persistent mechanical fault in the steering geometry.