2005 Vauxhall Zafira 1.6L Petrol · OV55 AAU

A 2005 Vauxhall Zafira of this vintage carrying 100,395 miles presents a mixed mechanical picture, with the most recent test on 24 April 2025 exposing several issues that warrant attention. That date produced both a pass and a fail under the same test number, indicating the vehicle was presented, failed, and then returned to the station for re-testing within hours. The Major defects recorded on that occasion were serious enough to prohibit road use until rectified: a nearside rear tyre with a cut deep enough to expose the ply or cords, a defective offside front wiper failing to clear the screen, and an insecure rear exhaust system. The accompanying advisory noted an oil leak not deemed excessive and a minor exhaust gas leak from the rear section. Looking across the full record, the 2024 and 2023 tests show a pattern of repeat advisories rather than outright failures, with coil spring corrosion flagged on both rear springs, a binding nearside front brake, persistent oil leakage from the engine, and progressive rear wheel bearing wear noted first as slight play in 2023 and then as audible noise by April 2025. This trend suggests accumulating wear on suspension and brake hardware typical of a vehicle now well into its third decade of service. The recorded mileage equates to roughly 4,781 miles per year over the vehicle's twenty-one year life, which is substantially below the average for a car of this age and type. A Zafira used as a family MPV would typically be expected to cover considerably higher annual distances, so this figure indicates either genuinely light usage, long stationary periods, or a period where the vehicle was off the road. Lower annual mileage can be advantageous for high-stress components such as the clutch, gearbox internals and engine upper end, but it often coincides with rubber and polymer deterioration through age rather than wear. The MOT history spans only from 2023 onwards within the data provided, with annual tests at roughly twelve-month intervals, so there are no obvious testing gaps, but the modest mileage accumulation between tests (a few thousand miles per year) is consistent with occasional or low-intensity use rather than daily long-distance driving. For a prospective buyer, the priority items raised by the record are the rear coil springs, which were both flagged for corrosion in May 2024. Coil spring corrosion on a Mk1 Zafira of this age frequently progresses to fracture, and a broken rear coil spring can cause a sudden drop in ride height and potentially a tyre contact with the bodywork. On a test drive, listen for clonking or rattling noises from the rear over bumps, particularly over speed humps, and observe whether the vehicle sits level when unladen. The rear wheel bearing issue, progressing from slight play in 2023 to audible noise by 2025, should be evaluated by listening for a humming or droning noise that changes with road speed and may alter when cornering, indicating the failing bearing. Binding brake calipers were flagged on the nearside front in 2024, which can manifest as the vehicle pulling to one side under braking, a hot wheel after driving, or uneven brake pad wear visible through the wheel. The persistent engine oil leak noted across three consecutive tests, from 2023 through 2025, points to a seal or gasket issue that has not been resolved. While each advisory classed the leak as not excessive, recurring oil loss over this period suggests the source remains active and could worsen, particularly under load. During inspection, look for fresh oil residue on the lower engine and bellhousing area, check the oil level on the dipstick with the engine warm, and ask when the oil was last topped up between services. The rear exhaust insecurity and minor gas leak from April 2025 indicate the back box or intermediate pipe mounting has deteriorated, so the exhaust should be physically inspected for hanging sections, rattles when starting from cold, and any smell of exhaust fumes inside the cabin. Given the vehicle's age and the cluster of advisories, a pre-purchase inspection with the vehicle raised on a ramp would be prudent to check for structural corrosion around the rear axle, suspension subframe, and brake pipe runs, areas commonly affected on Zafiras of this generation.