Vauxhall

Vauxhall Adam (2017)

7,508 real MOT outcomes analysed • 83.7% first-time pass rate

2017 Vauxhall Adam

CarHunch analysed 7,508 real MOT records for the 2017 Vauxhall Adam. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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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 2017 Vauxhall Adam passes its MOT first time at 83.7%, which is comfortably above the UK average of 80%, suggesting reasonable reliability overall. However, nearly a quarter of these cars (24.5%) have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history, which is a genuine concern for a buyer and warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

At 33,278 miles median, these cars are running well within expected mileage for a seven-year-old vehicle, yet they're still picking up an average of 1.39 failures and 7.1 advisories per test—indicating that wear items and minor issues accumulate despite relatively low use. Budget for routine maintenance and check the full MOT history of any example you're considering, paying particular attention to what type of defects were flagged.

The 2017 Vauxhall Adam passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (83.7%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ 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
83.7%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
24.5%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
1.39
Over 7.7 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
33k
Middle half: 24k–44k
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 7.1 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 7,508 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.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 7,508 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 2017.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 7,508 Vauxhall Adam cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2017 Vauxhall Adam

Based on MOT data from 7,508 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 24.5% 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 ClickMechanic
  • 📄 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 carVertical 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 2017 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.

33,278
typical
24,130
low mileage
43,665
high mileage

Half of all 2017 Vauxhall Adam vehicles fall between 24,130 and 43,665 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 24,130 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.
24,130–43,665 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2017 Vauxhall Adams sit.
Over 58,947 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2017 Vauxhall Adam — Still on the Road

Almost all 2017 Vauxhall Adams are still on the road.

Strong survival — 7,197 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.

7,349 7,197 2020 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
* 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

7.7
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.39
Avg failures per vehicle
7.1
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Vauxhall Adam: All Adam years → Which year to buy? →
2013 2014 2015 2016 2018 2019

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Compare with another model

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Average reliability — agree?