2016 Vauxhall Zafira 1.4L Petrol · YA65 HCP

A clear pattern emerges from the MOT history of this 2016 Vauxhall Zafira: the vehicle has passed every test since 2022 without a single recorded failure, yet it carries a recurring advisory footprint centred on the rear axle, specifically the tyres and, once, the rear brake pads. The latest test on 11 February 2026 was a pass with one advisory noting slight damage, cracking or perishing to the nearside rear tyre, while the 2023 test flagged both rear tyres with the same perishing advisory alongside a rear brake pad wear notice. No defects were recorded at the intervening 2024 and 2025 tests, suggesting the advisory items have been intermittent rather than progressive across the full five-test record. With only three advisories in five years and zero failures, the trend is stable rather than deteriorating, but the persistence of the rear-tyre advisory in two separate years is worth treating as a structural rather than purely cosmetic observation. The recorded mileage of 44,221 against a 2016 registration equates to roughly 4,400 miles per year, which is markedly below the national average for a ten-year-old vehicle. MOT records can only confirm mileage at the point of test, and gaps between tests in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 show consistent annual increments consistent with steady but light use. Low annual mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain and suspension components but places greater emphasis on age-sensitive items such as rubber boots, bushes, brake caliper slide pins and interior trim, all of which can deteriorate from prolonged standing as much as from use. There is no evidence in the record of long stationary periods or missing tests, so the usage profile appears to be one of gentle, regular driving rather than extended lay-up. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection areas are the rear tyres and the rear braking system, both of which have appeared as advisories. Inspect both rear tyres for sidewall cracking, any bulges or uneven shoulder wear, and check the production date stamps if visible, because the perishing advisory repeated across multiple years suggests age-related rubber degradation rather than impact damage. On test drive, listen for any binding or dragging sensation from the rear brakes on a low-speed coast, as caliper slide pins on lightly used vehicles are prone to seizing, and feel for any pulling to one side under gentle braking which could indicate a sticking rear caliper. Examine the rear brake pads and discs directly for remaining friction material thickness and any lip or corrosion on the disc edges, as the 2023 advisory noted the pads were already wearing thin and a further three years of light use may have brought them closer to replacement. Beyond the flagged items, the suspension and underbody should be examined carefully given the cumulative age of the vehicle and the known corrosion susceptibility of Zafira Tourer C rear axle components. On the move, listen for clonking or knocking over speed humps and uneven surfaces, particularly from the rear, which would indicate worn trailing arm bushes or anti-roll bar linkages, and feel for any vagueness or knocking through the steering on rougher tarmac. Inspect the underbody, subframe and brake pipes for surface rust or scale, paying particular attention to the rear subframe mounting points where the Tourer chassis is known to suffer. Finally, confirm that the nearside rear tyre advisory from February 2026 has been addressed, as any remaining perishing rubber is an immediate replacement requirement and a useful negotiating point.