2018 Vauxhall Adam — MOT failures & pass rate
31,374 MOT tests on the 2018 Vauxhall Adam are in this dataset, and 86.4% of them passed. That is 3.8 percentage points worse than city cars of a similar age, which fail at 9.8%. Failures cluster in visibility, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (6.8%) and suspension (4.8%) 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 washers — wipers alone was recorded 1,798 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 27.3% once past 90-120k — 2.8× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 8.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 6.8% | 2,134 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.8% | 1,516 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.0% | 1,257 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.3% | 1,036 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.9% | 910 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.4% | 448 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 1,798 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 933 |
| 3 | Washers | 694 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 649 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 616 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 612 |
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 | 21.7% | 6,801 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.1% | 3,806 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.2% | 3,502 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.1% | 1,597 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.3% | 1,036 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.9% | 900 |
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 | 17,832 | 9.9% |
| 30-60k | 11,915 | 17.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,475 | 22.6% |
| 90-120k | 132 | 27.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,026 | 8.8% |
| 2022 | 6,175 | 11.0% |
| 2023 | 6,202 | 12.6% |
| 2024 | 6,291 | 15.4% |
| 2025 | 6,680 | 19.4% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Adam
On a 2018 Adam, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (6.8% 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.
- Suspension (4.8% 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 (4.0% 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 2018 Vauxhall Adams pass their MOT?
86.4% of the 31,374 2018 Vauxhall Adam MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Vauxhall Adam?
Visibility, recorded in 6.8% of tests, followed by suspension (4.8%).
Does the 2018 Adam get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.9% in the 0-30k band to 27.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 31,374 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.