Model reliability

Vauxhall Adam reliability

The Vauxhall Adam fails its MOT more often than most cars 6 to 10 years old: 29.4% of 49,214 tests failed in 2023, against 24.4% on average.

Up to 5 years old

19.6% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 10,313 MOT tests of Vauxhall Adams this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 3× as oftenWipers6% vs 2.1%

Fails 3× as oftenWashers3.5% vs 1.1%

Fails 9× as oftenShock absorbers1.9% vs 0.2%Fix about £200

Fails 3× as oftenSprings1% vs 0.3%Fix about £150

Advised 4× as oftenShock absorbers5.8% vs 1.3%Fix about £200

6 to 10 years old

29.4% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 49,214 MOT tests of Vauxhall Adams this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 7× as oftenShock absorbers5.3% vs 0.8%Fix about £200

Fails 2× as oftenSprings5.3% vs 2.4%Fix about £150

Fails 4× as oftenSteering linkage components4.7% vs 1.1%

Fails 39% more oftenWipers2.5% vs 1.8%

Advised 5× as oftenShock absorbers15.6% vs 3%Fix about £200

Advised 51% more oftenTyre condition15.6% vs 10.3%Fix about £90

Advised 6× as oftenSteering linkage components8% vs 1.3%

Safety recalls

10 DVSA recalls for the Vauxhall Adam

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2019/0708 Apr 2019Built 2018–2019The lambda control might not be robust/precise enough at high speed

lambda control may result in NOx limit being exceeded during the vehicle lifetime.

Fix: An engine management system software upgrade will be installed.

Recalled models: ADAM · 53,981 vehicles

R/2017/16920 Apr 2017Built 2012–2016Sunroof glass may detach

A deviation in the supplier manufacturing printing process caused a high viscosity in the black print which might lead to a loss of adhesion over vehicle lifetime.

Fix: Until such time a final remedy is determined affected vehicles will have additional fixation added to secure the glass roof to the vehicle.as an interim measure

Recalled models: ADAM · 10,168 vehicles

R/2017/12120 Apr 2017Built 2012–2016Sunroof glass panel insecure

A deviation in the supplier manufacturing printing process on the glass panel caused may cause a loss of adhesion over vehicle lifetime. This may cause the sunroof panel to detach.

Fix: On affected vehicles rework the adhesive connection between the sunroof panel and the vehicle body.

Recalled models: ADAM · 10,168 vehicles

R/2017/11127 Mar 2017Built 2016–2017Handbrake may disengage

Due to a possible contamination of the tooth segment the handbrake pawl may not latch correctly. This may cause the handbrake to disengage.

Fix: On affected vehicles Replace the parking brake lever assembly.

Recalled models: ADAM · 1,530 vehicles

R/2017/02917 Mar 2017Built 2016Drivers airbag may not deploy correctly

The driver's air bag may not deploy as intended

Fix: On affected vehicles replace the airbag module assembly

Recalled models: ADAM · 2 vehicles

R/2016/29213 Feb 2017Built 2014–2015Steering rack may fracture

Due to a manufacturing process deviation the toothed rack of the steering gear might break under extensive force application i.e. when manoeuvring at slow speed.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and check the build date of the steering rack. Where the steering rack is proved to be from the affected batch the steering rack will be replaced.

Recalled models: ADAM · 3,333 vehicles

R/2015/2344 Dec 2015Built 2014–2015Loss of stability

The connection between the steering knuckle and the lower control arm may not be assembled correctly. If this condition is evident the connection could become insecure. The event can happen suddenly and unexpectedly in which case the vehicle is no longer controllable.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and inspect the connection between the steering knuckle and the lower control arm on both sides of the vehicle. Where necessary the connection will be reassembled correctly.

Recalled models: ADAM · 421 vehicles

R/2015/17228 Aug 2015Built 2015Loss of steering control

The gears within the steering rack may not have been manufactured to the correct specification which may allow them to crack over a period of time. Prolonged use could cause loss of steering control.

Fix: On affected vehicles replace steering gear assembly

Recalled models: ADAM · 8,883 vehicles

R/2015/06823 Mar 2015Built 2012–201518 inch alloy wheels may become insecure

18 inch alloy wheels may develop cracking at high mileages in excess of 62000 miles. This may lead to a loss of clamping force at the wheel bolts and in a worse case scenario wheel detachment.

Fix: On affected vehicles replace all four wheels.

Recalled models: ADAM · 37 vehicles

R/2014/12329 Sept 2014Built 2014Loss of steering control

THE MANUFACTURER HAS RECOMMENDED THAT AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE NOT DRIVEN UNTIL CHECKED BY THEIR OFFICIAL AGENTS. The steering system may not have been produced according to specification. There is a risk that the steering intermediate shaft may break while driving resulting in the loss of steering control.

Fix: The affected vehicles must not be driven until a new intermediate shaft that does meet the manufacturer's specification has been fitted.

Recalled models: ADAM · 69,218 vehicles

Show all 10 recalls

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Vauxhall Adam before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Vauxhall Adam reliability

10 DVSA recalls for the Vauxhall Adam

Checking a Vauxhall Adam before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.