Vauxhall Adam MOT pass rate and common problems
77.0% of 93,865 Vauxhall Adam MOT tests pass.
The Adam has a pass rate of 77.0%, a little higher than the average across all Vauxhall models (73.5%).
At 77.0%, the Vauxhall Adam passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Vauxhall Adam?
This is the average across every Vauxhall Adam in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Vauxhall’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 86.4% at 3–6 years to 72.7% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 86.4% | 13,426 | 30,302 miles |
| 6–10 years | 76.4% | 58,753 | 51,272 miles |
| 10–15 years | 72.7% | 21,686 | 66,636 miles |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Vauxhall Adam
The most common reason the Vauxhall Adam fails its MOT is suspension — present in 40.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a serious fluid leak".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 40.5% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 25.2% | Not working |
| Steering | 23.7% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Tyres | 20.7% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 19.1% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 15.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.4% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 5.5% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.9% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Road Wheels | 0.6% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Vauxhall Adam: what to check
These checks follow the Vauxhall Adam’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Vauxhall Adam comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 86.4% to 76.4%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 86.5% down to 77.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 40.5% of failed Vauxhall Adam MOTs. 16.1% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension, against 5.3% at 3–6 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 25.2% of failed Vauxhall Adam MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Steering
Recorded in 23.7% of failed Vauxhall Adam MOTs. 7.9% of tests at 6–10 years failed on steering, against 0.7% at 3–6 years.
The steering should feel precise, without knocks or play, and the car should run straight. Turn to full lock both ways and listen for clunks.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 20.7% of failed Vauxhall Adam MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Brakes
Recorded in 19.1% of failed Vauxhall Adam MOTs. 7.8% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 3.1% at 3–6 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Vauxhall service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Vauxhall models
- Vauxhall Meriva — 68.9% pass rate
- Vauxhall Grandland — 89.5% pass rate
- Vauxhall Crossland — 88.5% pass rate
- Vauxhall Viva — 86.8% pass rate
- Vauxhall Agila — 67.9% pass rate
- Vauxhall Vectra — 62.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Vauxhall Adam?
- 77.0% of Vauxhall Adam MOT tests pass, based on 93,865 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Vauxhall Adam?
- The most common reason the Vauxhall Adam fails its MOT is suspension — present in 40.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a serious fluid leak".
- What are the common problems with the Vauxhall Adam?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Vauxhall Adam are suspension; lights and electrics; steering. 16.1% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension, against 5.3% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Vauxhall Adam?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; steering; tyres; brakes. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Vauxhall Adam's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Vauxhall service history guide for how to check and keep one.