Used car guide

2018 Vauxhall Adam: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Vauxhall Adams, from 5,470 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,470MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
5,600typical miles a year
6.7×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Vauxhall Adams than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Shock absorbers6.7× usual
    Vauxhall Adam
    19.5% All 2018 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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 ends7.4× usual
    Vauxhall Adam
    12.6% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 0.8% of all 2018 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 2018 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0% of all 2018 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 springs3.3× usual
    Vauxhall Adam
    5.6% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.3% of all 2018 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.

By area

The share of 2018 Vauxhall Adam MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    36% 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
    33% 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
    9% 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
    7% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20194,836Tyres 30%
20177,541Suspension 43%
20169,459Suspension 47%
201510,817Suspension 49%
201413,219Suspension 51%
20137,488Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Vauxhall Adams registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score