Customisable city car with bags of personality
The Vauxhall Adam (2013-2019) was Vauxhall's answer to the Fiat 500, offering extensive personalisation options with over 60,000 colour and trim combinations. Now discontinued, used examples start from around £3,000-£7,000. Insurance starts from just group 3 for the 1.2-litre models, making it one of the cheapest cars to insure in the UK. Pre-April 2017 cars with the 1.0 Turbo pay just £35 annual road tax.
We track 7 known issues across the Vauxhall ADAM range, with 2 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Vauxhall ADAM? Enter the reg to see which of our 7 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
M13 (2012–2019) — Engine options included the 1.0 3-cylinder, 1.2 4-cylinder, 1.4 LPG, 1.4 4-cylinder.
The timing chains on 1.2 and 1.4 engines stretch prematurely due to inadequate tensioner design and extended oil change intervals. The hydraulic tensioner fails to maintain proper chain tension as the chain elongates, causing timing drift and potential valve contact with pistons. This affects B10XFT, A12XER, and A14XER engines fitted to the Adam. Cold-start rattle lasting more than 5 seconds is the primary symptom, progressing to constant chain noise and eventual catastrophic timing failure if not addressed.
Complete timing chain failure causes valve-to-piston contact on these interference engines, requiring full engine rebuild costing £3,000-£5,000. Early intervention with chain and tensioner replacement prevents catastrophic damage. The vehicle should not be driven if continuous chain rattle is present.
Listen carefully for a rattle or ticking noise from the engine on cold start — this is the most common early sign. Ask for evidence of chain replacement in the service history. On higher-mileage cars without documented replacement, budget for preventative work.
The Adam suffers from poor door seal design and blocked drainage channels that allow water to enter the cabin and electrical systems. Water typically enters through degraded door seals, sunroof drains, or scuttle panel drainage points. This causes electrical faults, ECU damage, and interior flooding. The problem affects all variants and can occur at any mileage, often worsening during heavy rain or after washing.
Water damage can destroy ECUs costing £500-£1,500 to replace, damage interior electronics, and cause corrosion of electrical connections. Severe cases require complete interior strip-down and drying. The vehicle remains drivable but electrical reliability is compromised until repaired.
Check all door seals, window seals and sunroof seals for deterioration or damage. Look for damp patches in the footwells, boot and headlining. A musty smell inside the car often indicates water ingress through failed seals.
MOT data shows this model fails at 28.2x the fleet average for steering rack gaiter defects, with over 34,000 recorded failures across all variants. The rubber gaiters protecting the steering rack and ball joint dust covers deteriorate prematurely, allowing dirt and water ingress that accelerates wear of steering components. This is a design weakness affecting all Adam variants from early in their service life.
Failed gaiters allow contamination of steering joints, accelerating wear and requiring replacement of track rod ends or steering rack components. Repair costs £150-£400 depending on components affected. The vehicle remains safe to drive but handling precision deteriorates progressively.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
MOT data shows the Adam fails at 19.3x the fleet average for suspension wear, with over 15,700 failures recorded. Suspension bushes, drop links, and control arm joints wear prematurely, affecting ride quality and handling precision. The lightweight construction and cost-engineered suspension components contribute to accelerated wear compared to heavier Vauxhall models.
Worn suspension components cause poor handling, increased tyre wear, and potential MOT failure. Individual component replacement typically costs £100-£300 per corner. Multiple worn components can require comprehensive suspension overhaul costing £800-£1,500. The vehicle remains safe but handling deteriorates progressively.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
MOT data shows the Adam fails at 8.4x the fleet average for shock absorber defects, with over 66,000 failures recorded across all variants. The shock absorbers leak or lose damping effectiveness earlier than typical for the class, causing poor ride quality and handling. This affects all engine variants but is most prevalent on 1.4-litre models from 20,000 miles onwards.
Failed shock absorbers cause poor handling, increased braking distances, and accelerated tyre wear. Replacement typically required in pairs per axle costing £300-£600. Severely worn shocks can cause MOT failure and compromise vehicle stability. The vehicle remains drivable but safety margins are reduced.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
For the full breakdown of all 7 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Vauxhall ADAM common problems page.
Based on 319k real DVSA MOT tests, the Vauxhall ADAM fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is reversing lamp lens defective at 45x the fleet average, followed by suspension pin, bush or joint worn (30x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Vauxhall ADAM MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Vauxhall ADAM service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Vauxhall ADAM is a reasonable used buy provided you check for the issues outlined above. None of the problems we track are insurmountable, but they do reward buyers who inspect thoroughly and verify the service history before committing. 2015-2017 with the 1.0-litre turbo ECOTEC engine. The turbo three-cylinder (added late 2014) transformed the car's driving experience and is far more enjoyable than the sluggish 1.2 or 1.4 naturally aspirated units. Steering recall issues from 2013-2014 were resolved by 2015. Keep up with oil changes religiously to protect the timing chain. Pre-April 2017 registration saves significantly on annual road tax.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Vauxhall ADAM, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 7 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 7 known Vauxhall ADAM issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.