Vauxhall Zafira (2005 - 2014) 1.9 CDTi Energy (120bhp) 5d (2007/07) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I'm far too patient. I should have got rid of it six months ago.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Wife has nightmares about it. Children think its just rubbish. Neighbours wonder why I still have it.

Would you buy this car again and why?

No, nay, never. No amount of clever seating ingeneuity can make up for the sheer, gut-wrenching fear of not knowing whether the car will get you where you want to go and back again.

What are you likely to buy next?

Looking at a Nissan Note at the moment. After the year we've had, reliability is the top priority.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£5,600

When did you buy the car?

February 2011

Did you get a good deal and why?

A winter sale, apparently. I don't think the price was any different than it would have been any other time of year.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

7-seat versatility.

What was the dealer like?

Friendly and helpful.

What's it like to drive?

Does the job, nothing exciting, but then the school run's not really meant to be.

What's it like to park?

Fine.

Have you had any problems with the car?

What hasn't gone wrong with it? Water in the fuse box took 8 months to diagnose while it caused half a dozen random and apparently unconnected faults, up to and including immobiliser failure, stranding us miles from home. Alternator went at 58,000 miles and dealer let slip that the previous owner had also had a new alternator at 30,000 miles. The worst thing is the diesel particulate filter which is designed to self-clean if you do regular motorway runs or self-destruct if you don't. As of right now, it's in a local garage with a new DPF but now various sensors refuse to recalibrate. As soon as it's fixed I'm getting shut and never buying a Vauxhall again.

What's most practical about your car?

The two extra seats under the boot floor.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

I'd have liked the option of a car that didn't spend 2 months out of the last 12 sitting in workshops.