2014 Vauxhall Adam — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 83,590 MOT tests, the 2014 Vauxhall Adam recorded a 78.6% pass rate. That is 4.1 percentage points worse than city cars of a similar age, which fail at 17.4%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and steering.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 10.0% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, coil spring and shock absorbers — track rod end alone was recorded 6,605 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.4% versus 14.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 27.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 17.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.0% | 8,395 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.1% | 5,130 |
| 3 | Steering | 5.9% | 4,941 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.4% | 4,517 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.5% | 3,751 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 3,557 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 6,605 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 4,030 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 3,998 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 2,305 |
| 5 | Wipers | 2,167 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 2,007 |
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 | 27.9% | 23,306 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.5% | 20,467 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.6% | 13,054 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.4% | 7,874 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.4% | 5,327 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.3% | 2,714 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 8,585 | 14.5% |
| 30-60k | 41,387 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 27,360 | 24.4% |
| 90-120k | 5,515 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 612 | 27.6% |
| 150k+ | 121 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,113 | 17.4% |
| 2022 | 16,535 | 19.5% |
| 2023 | 16,904 | 21.7% |
| 2024 | 16,891 | 23.1% |
| 2025 | 17,147 | 25.2% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Adam
On a 2014 Adam, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (10.0% 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 (6.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (5.9% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 2014 Vauxhall Adams pass their MOT?
78.6% of the 83,590 2014 Vauxhall Adam MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Vauxhall Adam?
Suspension, recorded in 10.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.1%).
Does the 2014 Adam get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.5% in the 0-30k band to 31.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 83,590 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.