VAUXHALL ADAM Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 2,646 MOT tests from 234 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every VAUXHALL ADAM has the same fault.

VAUXHALL ADAM's have a very good reliability rating of 637/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VAUXHALL ADAM that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the VAUXHALL ADAM.

VAUXHALL ADAM (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	742/999Very good	73,462 miles	4,455 vehicles
N/A	N/A	650/999Good	66,881 miles	8,408 vehicles
N/A	N/A	591/999Above average	67,414 miles	5,408 vehicles
N/A	N/A	563/999Above average	69,752 miles	2,048 vehicles

How reliable is the VAUXHALL ADAM?

Based on 2,646 MOT tests from 234 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

234

MOT tests

2,646

Pass rate

76.4%

Median mileage

68,846 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VAUXHALL ADAM has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 669 out of 999.

Common VAUXHALL ADAM MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 535 advisory comments and 54 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 298 advisory comments and 92 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS LIGHT MISTING OF OIL (5.3.2 (B))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 90 advisory comments and 20 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 105 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 81 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 81 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: FRONT SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Track rod wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 70 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record play or damage at a track rod or track rod end.

What to inspect

Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TRACK ROD END BALL JOINT DUST COVER EXCESSIVELY DAMAGED OR DETERIORATED SO THAT IT NO LONGER PREVENTS THE INGRESS OF DIRT (2.1.3 (G) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 69 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

VAUXHALL ADAM MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2019	20	126	79.4%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2018	13	99	78.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	17	146	78.8%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2016	38	395	76.7%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2015	34	392	76.8%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2014	65	819	77.9%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2013	45	654	72.9%	Shock absorber issues, Tyre wear

What to check when buying a used VAUXHALL ADAM

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Track rod wear. Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Buying a VAUXHALL ADAM?

Common problems tell you what can affect VAUXHALL ADAMs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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