2004 Vauxhall Zafira LS 1.8i 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good for carrying 7, not so good on economy, performance, customer satisfaction and overall finish

Faults:

The paintwork is thin, two coats at best and therefore any stone chip or touches on the car from contact with a bike, bag, another vehicle's door, show up all the more. Several stone chips appeared from motorway journeys, costing too much to have remedied.

The cradle holding the spare wheel externally is far too easy to manipulate from outside the vehicle, and as a result the spare wheel is taken with ease, a common problem that has been happening to owners like myself since 1999.

Needed to replace rear wiper and found it is one of the most difficult tasks to do, for a layman and an experienced mechanic. One manufacturer outlet wouldn't aid at all in removing it and I had to improvise.

General Comments:

Economy is not suitable, full tank goes down by the third day and by the current prices you spend £20-£30 a week re-fueling.

The extra 2 seats that make 7 when unfolded are easily done.

For a 1.8i 16v engine, it lacks the expected power for when you want to move quite rapidly. The engine size seems to relate to achievable distance rather than power.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st August, 2005

2004 Vauxhall Zafira Design 2.0 DTi turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A clever design at a reasonable price, very practical, but a bit boring

Faults:

Nothing to date.

General Comments:

Diesel engine is not as refined as I thought it might be.

Bland interior.

My only reservation about buying a diesel was the one regarding oil consumption, but in the last 2000 miles it has used none.

I drove 1400 miles last week, and found the car to be ideal for me, the wife and two kids, plus luggage.

Wind buffeting is a bit of a problem with one window open. The noise is unbearable, but is easily solved by opening another slightly. I hope to have this car for a long time, as I hate buying anything that depreciates, so I avoid changing my cars unless I have to. My previous Astra served me well, and at 10 years old shows no signs of rust. I hope the Zafira is the same.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th July, 2005

16th Aug 2006, 14:45

This is what gets me. If you find the interior bland THEN WHY DID YOU BUY IT?!

25th Aug 2006, 17:37

Answer to the above question is that it is a good car despite having a bland interior, I have covered 15,000 miles in it without problem and would recommend it to anyone.

2004 Vauxhall Zafira Life 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great car ruined by the fuel consumption

Faults:

There have been several occurrences of brake failure which required "pumping" to correct. This was checked out by the dealership who found no fault, but it hasn't happened since!

At the same time we had the engine tuning checked out as it was giving 22mpg at best. We were told there was nothing wrong, but to bear in mind that it does use a lot of fuel during the first 2000 miles.

General Comments:

This is the ideal vehicle for me as I am disabled and in a wheelchair. The vehicle is hired under the Motability scheme. The automatic was a must as my main problem is with my left leg.

This is our third consecutive Vauxhall having had a 1.8 Vectra and a 1.7TDi Astra. We have been amazed at the awful fuel consumption, still getting no more than 22mpg. The Dealership say talk to Motability, but I can't seem to get a correct figure for normal fuel consumption from which to present my complaint. As far as pre-purchase information is concerned I do not remember being quoted anything so ridiculously low as that. If I had I would never had got the car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 19th July, 2005

20th Jul 2005, 12:58

My 2002 Passat 1.8 Turbo Automatic does 30mgg around town and between 35-39mpg on the motorway. Definitely sounds like your 22mpg is not right. I assume you are filling brim to brim and calculating fuel used against gallons used, rather than relying on the fuel computer.

22nd Nov 2005, 09:07

22mpg does indeed sound pretty bad for a Zafira : my Xreg. 1.8 manages 32 mpg around town rising to 40 mpg on a long run.