Faults:

Engine management light constantly on. Changed airflow meter thinking this was the problem. Didn't solve the problem.

Car started jerking and kangarooing at low speeds, and didn't pick up speed smoothly. During the recent cold spell it got quite bad to the point that it would only travel at very low speeds. Looked on this forum, a number of people had written in with similar problems, and very expensive solutions.

Came across a solution, which suggested replacing EGR valve with a blank plate (leaving EGR valve still connected to fool EMU). Bought a plate off Ebay for £4 and fixed it a couple of weeks ago as suggested. This seems to have solved the problem. The car seems to be running smoothly. Serviced the car with oil, oil filter and air filter change last week, and just completed a 500 mile round trip with no problems or engine light.

Now beginning to have a problem with the clutch. Main dealers want £1100 to change it!

General Comments:

Handling is reasonable for the age of the car.

Not necessarily designed for speed, but is an ideal family car, both comfortable and spacious.

Faults:

I have a Vauxhall Zafira 2.0 diesel injection (not turbo), and we bought it when they first came out in September 1999.

It was recalled not long after to have a diesel pipe replaced, then we started having thick blue smoke bellowing out of the exhaust, and we were having to top it up with oil every two weeks.

We wrote to Vauxhall, and they told us to take it to our local dealer where they would do some tests on it to see if it was burning oil too fast, but the tests come back positive. Not long after this, we had a new starter motor; this was £400.

We had the burning smell and the heater went in the car, then it just packed in, then we had a new mass air flow meter; this was about £500.

We have been to the garage numerous times with the engine management light, and one time it was just because we had bought a bulb from Halfords, so be warned, for a quid more, go to the Vauxhall garage, it could cost you in the long run when you have to be hooked to that £40 a time computer.

We have just had our latest problem with it; "The fuel pump" £900 reconditioned.

We really have had enough now, and will be selling it in the next few weeks.

Be warned; comfy and spacious, but costly when the problems start occurring.

The car is nearly 10 years old, but we have only done 57000 miles and don't abuse it. Be warned, don't buy one.

Faults:

Tee Zafira comes with the common faults like most people have commented on, such as the car suddenly cuts off etc etc...

If your car suddenly cuts off or, power comes and goes. The only problem the car has is the the throttle body needs cleaning thoroughly (do not replace it, as it is expensive and a good earner for the garages). Once you or the service man has cleaned the carburetor (throttle body), change the throttle valve adjustment. 10 min job. £25.00 max cost.

Please don't keep on taking your car in and out of garages as they will always do diagnostic tests on it, it's a rip off.

General Comments:

Generally this car is good.