Used car guide

2017 Vauxhall Adam: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Vauxhall Adams, from 7,541 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,541MOT tests in 2025

67%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)

5,900typical miles a year

6.3×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Vauxhall Adams than on all cars registered in 2017.

Shock absorbers6.3× usual

Vauxhall Adam
23.3% All 2017 cars
3.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 8%, against 0.7% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.
Track rod ends10× usual

Vauxhall Adam
19.9% All 2017 cars
2%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, against 0.9% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Front strut mounts and bushes21.5× usual

Vauxhall Adam
4.3% All 2017 cars
0.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Coil springs2× usual

Vauxhall Adam
5.8% All 2017 cars
2.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.
Sub-frame5.3× usual

Vauxhall Adam
2.1% All 2017 cars
0.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.3% here, against 4.8% of all 2017 cars.

By area

The share of 2017 Vauxhall Adam MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

43% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Tyres

34% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Brakes

17% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Lights and electrics

11% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

6% of testsRough price £15–£250

At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Oil and fluid leaks

2% of testsRough price £80–£600

At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Vauxhall Adam?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2019	4,836	Tyres 30%
2018	5,470	Suspension 36%
2016	9,459	Suspension 47%
2015	10,817	Suspension 49%
2014	13,219	Suspension 51%
2013	7,488	Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2017 Vauxhall Adams registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score