Vauxhall Adam 2017: reliability & common MOT faults
Elevated MOT failure patterns for the 2017 Vauxhall Adam include Shock absorbers (front) (~16.7× peers) and Track rod end (~8.0× peers). Based on UK DVSA open data for test year 2025 (2,426 failed first-attempt tests), compared with similar age and mileage peers. Available test years: 2024, 2025.
Common faults
These are MOT failure patterns that show up more often on this registration year than on similar cars of the same class, age band, and mileage in the same test year (leave-one-out peer comparison; whole model family excluded).
Statistical patterns from MOT defect codes — not manufacturer TSBs, recalls, or a diagnosis of any individual car. Fail and advisory patterns are kept separate.
Based on 2,426 failed first-attempt tests in test year 2025.
Shock absorbers (front)
This failure pattern appears about 16.7× more often than on similar peer cars — recorded on 558 failed first-attempt tests; 23.0% of failed tests for this model year.
Front · 558 failures · ×16.7 vs similar cars · 23.0% of failed first tests · Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars
Track rod end
This failure pattern appears about 8.0× more often than on similar peer cars — recorded on 180 failed first-attempt tests; 7.4% of failed tests for this model year.
Any · 180 failures · ×8.0 vs similar cars · 7.4% of failed first tests · Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars
Track rod end (front)
This failure pattern appears about 7.7× more often than on similar peer cars — recorded on 541 failed first-attempt tests; 22.3% of failed tests for this model year.
Front · 541 failures · ×7.7 vs similar cars · 22.3% of failed first tests · Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars
| # | Fault pattern | Location | Failures | vs similar cars | Share of fails | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Pins and bushes (front)
Suspension > Macpherson strut > Pins and bushes
|
Front | 59 | ×21.2 | 2.4% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 2 |
Shock absorbers (front)
Suspension > Shock absorbers
|
Front | 558 | ×16.7 | 23.0% | Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars |
| 3 |
Macpherson strut (front)
Suspension > Macpherson strut > Macpherson strut
|
Front | 52 | ×10.2 | 2.1% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 4 |
Track rod end
Steering > Steering linkage components > Track rod end
|
Any | 180 | ×8.0 | 7.4% | Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars |
| 5 |
Track rod end (front)
Steering > Steering linkage components > Track rod end
|
Front | 541 | ×7.7 | 22.3% | Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars |
| 6 |
Electronic stability control
Brakes > ABS / EBS / ESC > Electronic stability control
|
Any | 129 | ×7.0 | 5.3% | Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars |
| 7 |
Rear fog lamp
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment > Front and rear fog lamps > Rear fog lamp > Rear fog lamp
|
Any | 53 | ×3.2 | 2.2% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 8 |
Coil spring (front)
Suspension > Springs > Coil springs > Coil spring
|
Front | 357 | ×2.9 | 14.7% | Possible elevated fault |
| 9 |
Malfunction indicator lamp
Noise, emissions and leaks > Exhaust emissions > Spark ignition > Malfunction indicator lamp
|
Any | 178 | ×2.8 | 7.3% | Possible elevated fault |
Only patterns that clear minimum sample and elevation thresholds are shown (at least 20 failures and 2.0× peer lift).
Advisories
Advisory items recorded on failed first-attempt tests that appear elevated versus peers. Advisories are not a fail rate — they flag issues noted at the test, often before they become failures.
| # | Advisory pattern | Location | Notes | vs similar cars | Share | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Pins and bushes (front)
Suspension > Macpherson strut > Pins and bushes
|
Front | 106 | ×10.9 | 4.4% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 2 |
Shock absorbers (front)
Suspension > Shock absorbers
|
Front | 407 | ×7.3 | 16.8% | Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars |
| 3 |
Sub-frame (front)
Suspension > Sub-frames > Sub-frame
|
Front | 61 | ×5.9 | 2.5% | Elevated vs peers |
| 4 |
Shock absorbers (rear)
Suspension > Shock absorbers
|
Rear | 174 | ×4.7 | 7.2% | Elevated vs peers |
| 5 |
Coil spring (front)
Suspension > Springs > Coil springs > Coil spring
|
Front | 24 | ×2.7 | 1.0% | Possible elevated fault |
FAQs
About this data
Universe. UK class 4 cars only; normal MOT tests (not retests); results pass, PRS, or fail; one first test per vehicle per calendar year.
PRS policy. PRS means the vehicle failed items that were fixed at the test station and then passed the same day. We count PRS as a first-attempt fail in headline rates so same-day repairs do not hide problems.
Peer baseline. We compare this model year with other class 4 cars of similar age and mileage in the same test year, excluding the whole model family so the car is not compared with itself (leave-one-out peer baseline).
Data years. Test years covered: 2024, 2025.
Limitations.
- MOT tests do not cover engine internals, gearboxes, or many electronic modules — so this is not a full reliability score.
- Common faults are inferred from MOT defect statistics, not manufacturer TSBs or recalls.
- Matching on age and mileage reduces but does not remove every usage or maintenance difference between cars.
- Pass rates and star scores appear only when those data marts are available; this page never invents them.
Display rules config: 1
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.