2012 Vauxhall Zafira 1.8L Petrol · ST12 ACX

The Vauxhall Zafira has maintained a clean MOT history since its most recent test on 8 May 2025, with no defects recorded at 91,912 miles. This suggests the vehicle has passed all mandatory checks for brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust emissions, and structural integrity without fail. The absence of advisories or recurring failures indicates no persistent mechanical issues have been overlooked, though the 2022 retest on 24 March—just five days after a failure—implies a minor administrative or procedural oversight rather than a technical problem. The most recent test, just over two years ago, is within the acceptable window for a vehicle of this age, though it now requires retesting by 8 November 2026. The mileage progression shows a steady accumulation of approximately 6,565 miles annually, which aligns with typical usage for a vehicle of this age. There are no significant gaps or abrupt jumps in mileage, and the 2022 retest at 67,059 miles—just five miles above the failure threshold—does not suggest aggressive driving or neglect. The lack of any MOT failures between 2023 and 2025 further supports consistent maintenance, though the 2022 retest hints at a brief period where either the tester missed a minor issue or the vehicle was briefly out of compliance. Given the clean MOT record, a prospective buyer should prioritise an inspection of high-wear components that are not routinely checked in an MOT. The suspension—particularly rear bushes and coil springs—should be examined for excessive play or corrosion, as these are common failure points in this model. Brake discs and pads, while not failed in MOTs, may show uneven wear or glazing, and the rear brakes should be checked for binding, as this was a historical issue in some Zafira models. Structural corrosion, particularly around wheel arches, sills, and the rear subframe, is critical given the vehicle’s age, as this can compromise structural integrity without always being detected in an MOT. Finally, the exhaust system should be inspected for leaks or excessive rust, as catalytic converter failures or cracked pipes can lead to emission-related failures.