Opel Zafira B (2005-2014): known problems and buying guide

Built: 2005–2010
Median price: €2,200
Listings: 530
Running cost per month: €458–€486
Power: 105–140 PS (77–103 kW)
Reliability: 2/5
DIY: 2/5

Heater fire recall, diesel EGR and DPF faults and M32 gearbox noise. Check timing chain, alternator and cooling history before you buy.

Updated 24 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
1.8, 140 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€486	€2,296	133	Petrol	Z18XER	Manual (5)	2005–2008
1.6 Twinport, 105 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€458	€2,000	72	Petrol	Z16XEP	Manual (5)	2005–2008
1.9 CDTI, 120 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€477	€1,750	56	Diesel	Z19DT	Manual (6)	2005–2008

At a glance

Years: built July 2005 to December 2014 (ADAC).
Reliability: 2/5. ADAC ranks it well below average for breakdowns, and it has several recalls.
DIY: 2/5. Timing chain and gearbox work needs a workshop.
Main risks: the UK heater blower fire recall, diesel EGR valve and particulate filter, M32 gearbox bearings, and the 2.2 timing chain.
Prefer: cars with service records and the recall work done.
Avoid: a 2.2 (Z22YH) with no timing chain work on record, and a manual that whines in 6th gear.

Engines and gearboxes

1.6 Twinport (Z16XEP), 105-115 PS: ignition coils often fail early, with rough idle and lost power. See Known issues.
1.6 (Z16XER) and 1.8 (Z18XER, 140 PS): oil cooler seal and thermostat leaks. See Known issues.
2.2 direct (Z22YH), 150 PS: timing chain can stretch early, and the tensioner can fail by about 150,000 km. See Known issues.
2.0 Turbo (200 PS) and OPC: no common fault known from the sources.
1.6 CNG and 1.8 LPG: gas versions with recalls. CNG cars built 2005-2007 had a gas leak recall in 2010. LPG cars built 2009-2011 had a pipe recall in 2014.
1.7 CDTI (110 and 125 PS): no common fault known from the sources.
1.9 CDTI (100, 120 and 150 PS): EGR valve and particulate filter faults. See Known issues.
Manual, 6-speed Opel M32: bearings wear and can fail. See Known issues.
Easytronic (automated manual): no common fault confirmed in the sources.
Automatic (1.8 and 2.2 petrol): a 2009 recall covers coolant leaking into the transmission oil, on cars built 2007-2008.

Known issues

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
Heater blower resistor and fire risk	Cars built 2005-2014; first recall covered manual or no air conditioning	Not stated	Free (recall, UK)
Diesel EGR valve and particulate filter	1.9 CDTI and other diesels	120,000-150,000 km (EGR cleaning)	No confirmed price
Timing chain (Z22YH)	2.2 petrol, Z22YH, 150 PS	About 150,000 km (tensioner)	No confirmed price
M32 gearbox bearings	6-speed manual (M32)	Not stated	No confirmed price
Alternator	Both diesels; ADAC lists breakdowns 2005-2008 and 2010-2011	100,000-200,000 km	700-880 EUR (Germany, year not stated)
Ignition coils and module	1.6 Twinport (coils); 1.6 and 1.8 (module)	Module from about 70,000 km	6,000-10,000 RUB for the module (Russia, 2020)
Cooling seals and thermostat	1.6 and 1.8 petrol (Z16XER, Z18XER)	Thermostat about 50,000 km; seal from about 80,000 km	Gasket kit from 1,500 RUB (Russia, 2020)
Rust at sills and tailgate	All; mainly after 10-12 years	Not stated	No confirmed price

Before you buy

Ask for proof of timing chain or tensioner work on a 2.2. A bad result is no record by about 150,000 km.
Test-drive in 6th gear. A whine that grows, or a shifter that moves forward and back under acceleration or braking, means the M32 bearings may be failing.
Ask about the charging system. A bad result is a battery warning or starting problems in winter. A new alternator costs 700-880 EUR at a brand workshop (Germany, year not stated).
Let the engine idle and listen for rough running. Rough idle or lost power on a 1.6 Twinport points to failing coils. A new ignition module costs 6,000-10,000 RUB (Russia, 2020).
Look in the expansion tank for oily residue. A bad result means a leaking oil cooler seal. A gasket kit costs from 1,500 RUB (Russia, 2020), labour not stated.
Ask for EGR valve and particulate filter service records on a diesel. A bad result is no EGR cleaning by about 150,000 km, or a car used only for short trips.
Check the sills, tailgate and door bottoms for rust. A bad result is bubbling paint or rust, most likely after 10-12 years.
Ask a Vauxhall dealer whether the heater blower resistor recall was done. A bad result is no record. The repair was free.

Running costs

Operational	€227
Workshop	€127
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€131
Total per month	€485
New-car depreciation (not included)	€52

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings: 530
25th percentile: €1,500
Median price: €2,200
75th percentile: €3,000
Median mileage: 214,000 km
Median first registration: 2006
Dealer share: 32.3%
Price at 100,000 km: €3,481

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

Heater blower resistor and fire risk

Two UK recalls cover a faulty resistor and fuse on the heater blower motor, part of the heating and ventilation unit. The first (2015) covered cars built 2005 to 2014 with manual or no air conditioning. Dealers inspected the cars and repaired them for free. The second (2016) replaced the soldered fuse resistor with a wax fuse resistor, fitted a new blower motor and a new moulding at the base of the windscreen to keep water out. Repairs were free. The UK safety agency DVSA linked the problem to improper repairs of the resistor, so a resistor should be replaced, not repaired. No recall reference numbers were given.

Sources: GOV.UK DVSA, Startrescue, Tyrepress, Fleet World

Diesel EGR valve and particulate filter

The EGR valve sends exhaust gas back into the engine to cut emissions. It clogs with soot. On the 1.9 CDTI Z19DTH, cleaning is due after 120,000 to 150,000 km. The particulate filter (DPF) traps soot. It clogs when the car makes mostly short trips. ADAC data lists EGR breakdowns for 2005 to 2014, and particulate filter breakdowns in 2006. No price is confirmed.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, Carwiki, ADAC, Auto.ru

Timing chain (Z22YH)

The 2.2 (Z22YH, 150 PS) has a timing chain. The chain can stretch early and cause major engine failure. Carwiki reports broken chains on 2.2 petrol up to the end of 2005. The tensioner, which keeps the chain tight, can fail by about 150,000 km. No price is confirmed.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, Carwiki, Auto.ru

M32 gearbox bearings

The 6-speed manual (Opel M32) can fail through its bearings. A whine that starts in 6th gear and gets worse over time is a sign (garage report). A shifter that moves forward and back under acceleration or braking may mean failure is near. Carwiki says the M32 does not always shift cleanly. ADAC data reports frequent manual gearbox failures. A garage gives the whine's cause as bearing failure from incorrect shimming at the factory. Shims are thin spacers that set bearing play. No price is confirmed.

Sources: Service4Service, Gebrauchtwagenberater, Carwiki, ADAC

Alternator

The alternator charges the battery. Gebrauchtwagenberater calls it a weak point on both diesels. Auto.ru says it fails at 100,000 to 200,000 km, and names the voltage regulator, bearings and pulley as the parts that wear. ADAC lists generator breakdowns in 2005 to 2008 and 2010 to 2011. A brand workshop charges 700 to 880 EUR for a new generator (Germany, year not stated). Carwiki reports starting problems in winter.

Sources: ADAC, Auto.ru, Gebrauchtwagenberater, Carwiki

Ignition coils and module

On the 1.6 Twinport (Z16XEP), ignition coils often fail early. Symptoms are rough idle and lost power. On the 1.6 (Z16XER) and 1.8 (Z18XER), one ignition module replaces the separate coils. It fails from about 70,000 km, often after a late spark plug change. The whole unit is replaced, at 6,000 to 10,000 RUB (Russia, 2020). ADAC lists coil breakdowns in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, ZR.ru, ADAC, Auto.ru

Cooling seals and thermostat

On the 1.6 and 1.8 (Z16XER, Z18XER), the thermostat often fails and the engine overheats. It often needs replacing by about 50,000 km. An original part costs about 7,000 RUB (Russia, 2020). The oil cooler seal can leak from about 80,000 km, and oil can get into the antifreeze. A gasket kit costs from 1,500 RUB, and the labour is heavy (Russia, 2020). On the 1.8, the oil cooler seal can leak, leaving oily residue in the expansion tank.

Sources: ZR.ru, Gebrauchtwagenberater

Rust at sills and tailgate

Rust forms at the tailgate and door edges, mainly on older cars (Gebrauchtwagenberater). Carwiki places it mainly at the door edges and wheel arches. ADAC lists rust on the door bottoms, the tailgate and the exhaust. Auto.ru says paint bubbles and rust mainly after 10 to 12 years, with the rear wheel arches, lower doors, sills and tailgate as weak spots. No price is confirmed.