2013 Vauxhall Zafira 1.6L Petrol · LM13 VOU

A pattern of advisories and a single major exhaust failure define the mechanical picture of this thirteen year old Zafira Tourer, with the 2026 test on 15 April passing only after a clutch of items were flagged for attention. The flexi pipe fracture recorded as a major failure on 22 April 2024 is the most serious event in the record and prevented the emissions check from being completed; the car subsequently returned a clean pass two days later on 24 April 2024 once the repair had been carried out, which suggests the rectification was completed promptly rather than left to deteriorate. Beyond that single episode, the trend across the eight tests is one of largely stable roadworthiness with a growing cluster of advisories in the most recent two cycles, including an offside front lower suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened flagged on 23 April 2025, and on the 2026 test a front oil leak, front brake discs worn but not excessively, rear brake pads wearing thin, and an altered internal headlight adjuster requiring recheck. The recurrence of corrosion and fluid related items in consecutive years points to components that are gradually reaching the limits of acceptable wear rather than any acute failure. The recorded mileage of 73,793 miles across thirteen years equates to roughly 5,676 miles per year, which is well below the typical annual accumulation for a family MPV of this age and suggests either extended periods off the road or genuinely light use. There are no obvious multi year gaps in the MOT record between 2020 and 2026, with tests consistently recorded in April or May of each year, which argues against a long lay up and points instead to low but regular mileage accumulation. Mechanically, low annual mileage of this kind tends to preserve the engine internals and transmission but can accelerate peripheral degradation through corrosion of underbody components, drying of suspension and drivetrain seals, and surface oxidation of brake discs and calipers that may then bind after light use. The recorded advisories are consistent with that profile, with corrosion on a suspension arm and signs of an oil leak now appearing despite relatively little mechanical wear elsewhere. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection points are the exhaust system, the front suspension, the brakes, and the engine for oil leaks. The 2024 flexi pipe failure indicates the front section of the exhaust should be physically inspected for any signs of black sooting, hissing under load, or a new joint that may already be ageing, particularly around the downpipe and centre connections where corrosion is common on Zafiras of this generation. The offside front lower suspension arm noted as corroded should be examined with the car on a ramp for flaking or perforation around the bush housing and ball joint, and on the road any clonks or knocking over speed humps, vagueness in the steering around the straight ahead, or uneven tyre wear on the front nearside would warrant immediate attention. The brake discs and pads flagged as approaching their limits should be checked for lipping on the disc edges and pad material thickness, while on the move any judder through the pedal under firm braking or a tendency for the car to pull to one side would suggest a binding caliper or a warped disc that may now need replacement. The oil leak advisory from the 2026 test is described as not excessive, but it warrants a thorough inspection on a dry floor to identify the source, with common culprits on the Zafira being the cam cover gasket, the sump gasket, and the turbo oil feed on diesel derivatives. Coolant hoses, the water pump area, and the power steering pipes are also worth a close look given the age of the vehicle. The headlight adjuster note should be confirmed corrected by checking that both beams sit level on a flat surface and that the manual adjuster mechanism still clicks positively into position rather than slipping. Taken as a whole, the record describes a vehicle that has remained roadworthy throughout its life but is now entering a phase where multiple consumable and corrosion related items are surfacing together, so a pre purchase inspection on a lift and a measured test drive paying particular attention to suspension noises, brake feel, and any exhaust drone under acceleration would be well advised before committing to purchase.