2012 Vauxhall Zafira 1.7L Diesel · FH12 CVL

The 2012 Vauxhall Zafira presents a mixed maintenance profile. The most recent MOT in March 2026 at 81,794 miles was a pass, but it carried six advisories, signalling a worsening trend in basic upkeep. The tester flagged all four tyres as worn close to the legal limit or perished, alongside thin rear brake pads. This accumulation of wear items at a single test suggests routine servicing and pre-MOT preparation have been neglected recently, contrasting with earlier years where faults were fewer. The mileage pattern tells a story of very light use. Between April 2022 and March 2026, the car covered just 34,119 miles over four years, averaging roughly 8,500 miles annually. The gap between the March 2025 test at 73,650 miles and the March 2026 test at 81,794 miles shows a sudden spike of 8,144 miles in a single year. This irregular accumulation could indicate a change in ownership or usage, but the low overall mileage for a fourteen-year-old vehicle means long periods of standing are likely, which directly explains the recurring tyre perishing. A buyer should focus their physical inspection on the undercarriage and suspension components. The April 2024 test flagged worn front Macpherson strut pins or bushes on both sides, a fault that can cause vague steering and uneven tyre wear if left unresolved. Given the current advisory for perished tyres, check the date stamps on the replacements to confirm if this was ever addressed. The 2022 advisory for a corroded exhaust system also warrants a thorough check for structural rust, particularly around the rear silencer and mounting points. The braking system requires immediate attention. The rear pads were noted as wearing thin in March 2026, and the tester flagged binding rear brakes in a previous test. Inspect the rear calipers for sticking slides and check the disc condition for lipping or scoring. The recurring tyre degradation across multiple tests points to poor storage or a lack of regular pressure checks. While the Zafira remains roadworthy, the current advisory load indicates deferred maintenance that a buyer must budget for before long-term use.