Oldish Zafira - manual central locking question

[wheresmyzebra]

I'm buying a second hand Zafira (57 plate), after my even more ancient Zafira finally died. On my old Zafira, the central locking could be operated by either the remote key fob or the manual key. On the one I'm buying the remote key fob unlocks everything but the manual key only unlocks the driver's door. Is this normal? I thought it was a fault so asked them to fix it before I pay the balance which they initially agreed, but they're now saying that this is standard for all Zafiras.

Does anyone have a c.10 yr old or newer Zafira who can operate the central locking for all the doors with the manual key? Or who can say if this is a fault or not?

TIA

It's a fault.

I would contact Vauxhall's themselves, (unless this information can be pulled up in the Zaf manual online) and get them to email you the information. Bring it to the garage as eveidence.

Have you checked the second key is genuine?

Thank you breadzeb, that's really helpful. Vauxhall's customer care line is closed for the weekend so I'll call them on Monday to get something in writing.

No, I only checked one key...

I'm MNing from my 08 plate Zafira and my spare key is in my handbag. Gimme a min and I'll check.

Thanks Katerina. Does yours open everything using the main key manually in the lock?

Spare key opens the drivers door and all the rest automatically unlock as you pull it open. So I'd say it's a fault.

That being said, maybe just go for a bit of money off if the main key is working and you can still get access with the spare.

That being said, maybe just go for a bit of money off if the main key is working and you can still get access with the spare.

Don’t recommend this. If the locking system/key has a fault it is probably that it may develop further in time. Get them to sort it out so it works as it should, otherwise, don’t buy the car.

*probable

That's useful to know, thanks. The car is currently over an hour away so I can't check until they deliver it next week.

I'm trying to decide if it's an annoying enough fault that I should haggle again or if I can quite easily put up with (I generally only use the remote fob anyway). I've got a three-month warranty which I'd hope would cover repairs if it is a wiring issue. I hate buying cars!

Be very wary of using the warranty in this instance. Because you have discussed the issue you may be deemed to have accepted the fault

Ok, thank you. 😣 It's only a cheap-o car but I don't want to buy it if it's faulty... I'll have to wait to see what Vauxhall customer service say on Monday, I think.

In the grand scheme of things it’s a minor issue on a car that’s near the end of its life. It’s very likely that there will be other niggles either presently or in the near future. As long as it starts, stops and drives ok whilst keeping hold of its vital fluids I think that’s the best you can hope for.