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Vauxhall Adam reliability by build year

Coverage 2013-20191 named generationHatchbackPETROL
At a glance

Vauxhall Adam built around 2018: fails its MOT more often than average

Vauxhall Adams built around 2018 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a Vauxhall Adam by number plate

Key figure

23% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Adams built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Vauxhall Adams built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Vauxhall Adam's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Steering track rods

Worth checking

On a flat surface, rock the steering wheel briefly with the engine off and listen for clunks.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Adam's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Adam Mk1

Mk1 (2013-2019)

Poor
PETROL

23.4% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 8,187 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Vauxhall Adam.

See every build year for the Vauxhall Adam

By age

Vauxhall Adam fail rate by age

This chart combines every Vauxhall Adam ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,81017.1%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
6,52619.7%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
8,18723.4%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
11,53526.0%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
13,58126.7%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
15,98127.4%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
15,34028.3%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
5,17426.6%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 11 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Vauxhall Adam stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Vauxhall models

9th of 10

9th lowest fail rate of 10 Vauxhall models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against other hatchbacks

73rd of 84

73rd lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against the UK average

23.4%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Vauxhall Adams

These issues come from 7-year-old Vauxhall Adams, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    20.5%
    Advisory: 2,592Fail: 112 (4% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    19.6%
    Advisory: 1,616Fail: 497 (24% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    15.8%
    Advisory: 1,626Fail: 205 (11% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Minor

    Track rod end dust cover damaged, but still keeps dirt out

    9.4%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    7.4%
    Advisory: 738Fail: 21 (3% of the times it was found)

Based on 8,187 MOT tests on 7-year-old Vauxhall Adams, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Vauxhall Adams notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres50%
  2. Brakes + Suspension28%
  3. Brakes + Tyres26%
  4. Lighting + Suspension13%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 2,848 MOT tests on Vauxhall Adam cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

94%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

11 recalls in all

9 of the 11 Vauxhall Adam recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 8 more

Top concerns

  • Drivers airbag may not deploy correctly
  • The lambda control might not be robust/precise enough at high speed
  • Sunroof glass may detach

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.5%, against 23.4% for the Vauxhall Adam, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    Lower fail rate: 12.3%, against 23.4% for the Vauxhall Adam, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Lexus CT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.1%
    Dangerous
    4.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.2%

    Lower fail rate: 10.5%, against 23.4% for the Vauxhall Adam, both built around 2018.

    3,255 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 11.1%, against 23.4% for the Vauxhall Adam, both built around 2018.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,367 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Vauxhall Adam across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. It has the 9th lowest fail rate of 10 Vauxhall models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 8,187 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Vauxhall Adam ever sold: 78,134 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 8,187 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.