2016 Vauxhall Adam — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2016 Vauxhall Adam passed 81.9% of its 57,197 recorded MOT tests. City cars of a similar age fail 13.7% of the time, so this is 4.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 8.5% of all tests — 3.7 points clear of tyres, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, track rod end and wipers — shock absorbers alone was recorded 3,355 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.6% once past 120-150k — 2.1× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 27.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 12.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 8.5% | 4,880 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.8% | 2,766 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.7% | 2,675 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.6% | 2,633 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.9% | 2,231 |
| 6 | Brakes | 3.4% | 1,942 |
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 | 3,355 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 2,987 |
| 3 | Wipers | 1,866 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 1,730 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 1,617 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 1,231 |
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 | 27.0% | 15,414 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.8% | 10,750 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.7% | 8,412 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.4% | 4,218 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.5% | 3,163 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.8% | 1,582 |
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 | 15,016 | 12.0% |
| 30-60k | 31,570 | 19.0% |
| 60-90k | 9,460 | 24.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,036 | 25.6% |
| 120-150k | 90 | 25.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,833 | 12.8% |
| 2022 | 11,058 | 14.8% |
| 2023 | 11,460 | 17.9% |
| 2024 | 11,733 | 20.9% |
| 2025 | 12,113 | 23.5% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Adam
On a 2016 Adam, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (8.5% 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.
- Tyres (4.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (4.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2016 Vauxhall Adams pass their MOT?
81.9% of the 57,197 2016 Vauxhall Adam MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Vauxhall Adam?
Suspension, recorded in 8.5% of tests, followed by tyres (4.8%).
Does the 2016 Adam get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.0% in the 0-30k band to 25.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 57,197 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.