Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 Vauxhall Adam?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2016 Vauxhall Adam?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2016 Vauxhall Adam?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2016 Vauxhall Adam vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

30% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2016 Vauxhall Adam reliable?

Based on MOT data from 9,464 vehicles, the 2016 Vauxhall Adam has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2016 Vauxhall Adam?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 Vauxhall Adam are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (48.8% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (42.3% of vehicles), Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (35% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2016 Vauxhall Adam?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

CarHunch

Get Started

Vauxhall Adam (2016)

9,464 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82% first-time pass rate

2016 Vauxhall Adam

CarHunch analysed 9,464 real MOT records for the 2016 Vauxhall Adam. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2016 Vauxhall Adam passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 82%, which is reassuring, but 30.1% of these cars have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their test history—well above the typical threshold and a genuine concern for a prospective buyer. This suggests structural or safety issues aren't rare across the model.

At 36,000 miles median, these Adams have covered low mileage for their age, which normally indicates less wear, yet they're averaging 1.72 failures and 8.6 advisories per test. The high advisory count points to minor wear accumulating faster than you'd expect, so budget for incremental repairs and check service history carefully before purchase.

The 2016 Vauxhall Adam has a decent first-time pass rate (82%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

82%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

30.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.72

Over 8.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

36k

Middle half: 27k–46k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 8.6 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 9,464 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 9,464 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 48.8%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Suspension & steering 35%

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil · Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil · Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Brake wear 31.5%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 9,464 Vauxhall Adam cars.

Before you buy a 2016 Vauxhall Adam

Based on MOT data from 9,464 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 30.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 59,487 Vauxhall Adam vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 26%

15,493

Red 25.9%

15,381

Blue 21.2%

12,593

Black 13.2%

7,841

Grey 5.4%

3,194

Yellow 3%

1,776

Green 1.8%

1,081

Orange 1.2%

685

Purple 1.1%

652

Gold 0.7%

394

Brown 0.4%

222

Pink 0.3%

175

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Vauxhall Adam vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

36,027

typical

26,716

low mileage

46,417

high mileage

Half of all 2016 Vauxhall Adam vehicles fall between 26,716 and 46,417 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 26,716 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 26,716–46,417 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Vauxhall Adams sit.

⚠ Over 62,662 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Vauxhall Adam — Still on the Road

Almost all 2016 Vauxhall Adams are still on the road.

Strong survival — 8,981 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

8.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.72

Avg failures per vehicle

8.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Vauxhall Adam: All Adam years → Which year to buy? →

2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 2019

Or browse all models: Vauxhall →

Compare with another model

See how the 2016 Vauxhall Adam stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing