2012 Vauxhall Adam — MOT failures & pass rate
288 MOT tests on the 2012 Vauxhall Adam are in this dataset, and 80.2% of them passed. Against city cars of a similar age (21.0% fail rate), the 2012 Adam comes out 1.2pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 10.4% of all tests — 3.8 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, coil spring and washers — shock absorbers alone was recorded 13 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.3% in the 30-60k band and 21.1% in the 90-120k band, a 6.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 16.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.4% | 30 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.6% | 19 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.6% | 16 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.9% | 14 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 14 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.2% | 12 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 13 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 12 |
| 3 | Washers | 10 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 8 |
| 5 | Wipers | 8 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 8 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 29.5% | 85 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.1% | 78 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.6% | 45 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.4% | 30 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.0% | 23 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.2% | 12 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 98 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 128 | 23.4% |
| 90-120k | 38 | 21.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 56 | 16.1% |
| 2022 | 56 | 19.6% |
| 2023 | 59 | 20.3% |
| 2024 | 61 | 22.9% |
| 2025 | 56 | 19.6% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Adam
On a 2012 Adam, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (10.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (6.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (5.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2012 Vauxhall Adams pass their MOT?
80.2% of the 288 2012 Vauxhall Adam MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Vauxhall Adam?
Suspension, recorded in 10.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.6%).
Does the 2012 Adam get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.3% in the 30-60k band to 21.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 288 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.