2013 Vauxhall Adam: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Vauxhall Adam?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Vauxhall Adam than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Shock absorbers4.7× usual
  Vauxhall Adam

  25.4% All 2013 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 1.2% of all 2013 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.

• Sub-frame3.8× usual
  Vauxhall Adam

  9.4% All 2013 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.1% of all 2013 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.

• Engine oil leaks1.8× usual
  Vauxhall Adam

  8.5% All 2013 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Front strut mounts and bushes8× usual
  Vauxhall Adam

  4% All 2013 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.1% of all 2013 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.

• Rear fog light4.7× usual
  Vauxhall Adam

  2.8% All 2013 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.5% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2013 Vauxhall Adam MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Vauxhall Adam MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  45% 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
  32% 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
  20% 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
  14% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  9% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Known faults on the 2013 Vauxhall Adam

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Steering recalls

  All engines

  In 2014 Vauxhall told owners of some cars not to drive them until a new steering shaft was fitted, as a broken part could cause a total loss of control. Two more steering recalls followed in 2015.

  At the viewing: Ask a Vauxhall dealer to confirm the steering recalls were done.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Vauxhall Adam buying guide (2013 on)

• Cracked 18-inch alloys

  Cars on 18-inch wheels

  18-inch alloys could crack on high-mileage cars, and were replaced under a recall.

  At the viewing: Look at the inside of each wheel for cracks.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Vauxhall Adam buying guide (2013 on)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Vauxhall Adam

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Have the steering recalls been done? Can a Vauxhall dealer confirm from the VIN?
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 4.7× as often on the 2013 Vauxhall Adam as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2013 Vauxhall Adam as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2013 Vauxhall Adam as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?