2017 Vauxhall Adam — MOT failures & pass rate
44,328 MOT tests on the 2017 Vauxhall Adam are in this dataset, and 84.1% of them passed. Against city cars of a similar age (11.8% fail rate), the 2017 Adam comes out 4.2pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (6.3%) and visibility (5.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, shock absorbers and track rod end — wipers alone was recorded 1,876 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.0% once past 120-150k — 2.4× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 10.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.3% | 2,772 |
| 2 | Visibility | 5.1% | 2,275 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.3% | 1,898 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.0% | 1,760 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.9% | 1,730 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.9% | 1,267 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 1,876 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 1,871 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 1,725 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,075 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 1,008 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 919 |
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 | 25.5% | 11,284 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.2% | 6,720 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.6% | 6,039 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.6% | 2,496 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.1% | 2,270 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.7% | 1,178 |
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 | 16,395 | 10.4% |
| 30-60k | 22,488 | 18.1% |
| 60-90k | 4,960 | 23.9% |
| 90-120k | 446 | 23.8% |
| 120-150k | 36 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,361 | 10.0% |
| 2022 | 8,552 | 12.3% |
| 2023 | 8,788 | 15.1% |
| 2024 | 9,051 | 18.4% |
| 2025 | 9,576 | 22.8% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Adam
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 6.3% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (6.3% 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.
- Visibility (5.1% 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.
- Tyres (4.3% 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.
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 2017 Vauxhall Adams pass their MOT?
84.1% of the 44,328 2017 Vauxhall Adam MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Vauxhall Adam?
Suspension, recorded in 6.3% of tests, followed by visibility (5.1%).
Does the 2017 Adam get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.4% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 44,328 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.