Vauxhall Adam: what fails at MOT
88,000 MOT tests on the Vauxhall Adam in 2024, counted. 28.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
28.1% of Vauxhall Adam tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 23%, so the Adam does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (7.2% of tests), lights and electrics (4.5% of tests) and steering (4.3% of tests). It fails on suspension and steering more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 7,204 | 17.8% | 13.4% | 25,900 17,500 to 35,200 |
| 2018 | 7,909 | 20.3% | 15.6% | 34,100 25,000 to 44,500 |
| 2017 | 11,279 | 25.1% | 18.2% | 42,200 31,500 to 54,500 |
| 2016 | 14,162 | 28.7% | 21.3% | 48,400 36,300 to 60,800 |
| 2015 | 16,139 | 30.2% | 24.4% | 53,800 40,300 to 67,900 |
| 2014 | 19,827 | 31.9% | 27.7% | 60,400 46,600 to 75,400 |
| 2013 | 11,720 | 32.4% | 30.6% | 66,700 51,200 to 82,900 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Vauxhall Adam tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Adam | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 7.2% | 4.4% | More than most |
| Lights and electrics | 4.5% | 5.4% | |
| Steering | 4.3% | 1.0% | More than most |
| Tyres | 3.8% | 4.2% | |
| Brakes | 3.3% | 3.5% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.1% | 2.5% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.6% | 1.5% | |
| Body and structure | 1.2% | 1.3% |
The parts that fail most
- Track rod end4.2%
- Shock absorbers3.3%
- Coil spring2.4%
- Seat belt1.9%
- Washers1.6%
- Tyre tread1.6%
- Wipers1.5%
- Headlamp aim1.5%
- Engine warning light1.2%
- Brake pads1.1%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.2%
- Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.1%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.4%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.5%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.2%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.1%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.0%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.9%
- Rear fog light: not working0.8%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.0%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil9.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing9.2%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.7%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened2.0%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive1.6%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Vauxhall Adam's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.