If you value a lot of space when making your next used purchase, you could, for example, choose a station wagon. But a compact van like the Opel Zafira is also an option – it does quite well in the TÜV balance sheet, with the exception of one main point of criticism.

The Opel Zafira is history as you can still know it as a compact van. The third edition was replaced in 2019 by a larger-format van, the Zafira Life. As a used car, however, it is still the spacious family car that it was originally designed to be. In the case of the main inspection (HU), however, there is one main point of criticism that interested parties should pay attention to.

Model history

The third Zafira went on sale in 2012 as the Zafira Tourer. With the 2016 facelift, Opel revised the engines and the Zafira got a new front without the characteristic Boomerang headlights.

New at the time: infotainment with telephone connection and mobile WiFi hotspot. In addition, Opel dropped the suffix Tourer again. In 2019 the production was stopped.

body variants

The Zafira can be classified as a compact van or people carrier. This is characterized by a variable interior and lots of storage space. As an alternative to the five-seater, it was also offered as a seven-seater.

Dimensions (according to ADAC)

4.66 to 4.67 meters x 1.88 meters x 1.66 to 1.69 meters (L x W x H), trunk volume: 710 to 1860 liters

Strengthen

With once surcharge, but many assistance systems such as blind spot warning or adaptive cruise control, the Opel is one of the safer cars. The “Auto Bild TÜV Report 2023” certifies that it has a good chassis.

Steering joints and drive shafts are durable, rust is not a problem. Almost all lighting components perform better than the class average at the HU. All brake components are rarely complained about.

weaknesses

In terms of chassis, axle springs and dampers only show increased complaint rates at the fourth HU. The front lighting is a touch above average for recent years of construction.

The main problem that plagues the Zafira over all years of construction and drags down the TÜV balance sheet is the frequent loss of oil in the engine and transmission. Interested parties should “pay careful attention to leaks during the inspection,” advises the report.

breakdown behavior

In its breakdown statistics, the ADAC gives the car a rather unsatisfactory certificate. Accordingly, the Zafira of the first registration year 2013 shows a bad breakdown behavior.

Specimens from 2012, 2015 and 2019 end up in the lower middle field, the others in the middle field of the data collection. The club calls the main breakdowns: exhaust gas recirculation (2013) and generators (2015).

The engine

Market prices (according to “DAT Marktspiegel” by Deutsche Automobil Treuhand with statistically expected kilometers):