2015 Vauxhall Adam 1.2L Petrol · CE65 PFG

A serious structural and steering defect cluster defines this Vauxhall Adam's recent history, with the September 2025 test failing the vehicle outright on five major items before a clean pass was recorded just nine days later. The most concerning of these was a front subframe recorded as corroded and seriously weakened, which directly threatens structural integrity and is not a repair but rather a replacement of a major load-bearing component. Both track rod end dust covers were also flagged as no longer preventing dirt ingress, meaning the ball joints themselves are now exposed to contamination and accelerated wear. Additional failures on headlamp aim and wiper effectiveness suggest either underlying corrosion affecting headlamp mounting points or simply deferred maintenance, both of which warrant scrutiny. The clean pass on 24 September 2025 indicates the failures were addressed, but a subframe replacement on an eleven-year-old car with this level of corrosion suggests other underbody components may be approaching similar condition. The recorded mileage of 52,043 miles across approximately eleven years equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 4,700 miles, which is low and indicative of either light commuting use or extended periods of stationary storage. Testing gaps are notable, with no MOT entries visible between 2020 and 2021, and the record shows consistent annual testing from 2021 onwards, suggesting the vehicle has remained in active use throughout this period. Low annual mileage typically reduces wear on major drivetrain components but can accelerate deterioration of rubber and plastic items such as bushes, dampers, seals, and brake components due to prolonged inactivity. The 2022 advisories for worn front strut top mounts combined with brake disc scoring in 2021 are consistent with age-related deterioration rather than high-mileage wear, and this pattern should inform expectations of further age-related advisories going forward. For any prospective buyer, the front subframe corrosion must be physically inspected, ideally on a ramp, to confirm the replacement was carried out to a satisfactory standard and to assess the condition of adjacent components such as steering rack mounting points, lower control arms, and brake pipe routing. The track rod ends should be checked for play by hand with the wheels lifted, listening or feeling for any knocking or looseness that would indicate the ball joints have already suffered ingress damage. Test driving the vehicle, pay close attention to steering precision and any vibrations through the wheel, particularly over uneven road surfaces, as well as any clonking noises from the front suspension which would suggest worn strut top mounts progressing to failure. Given the fractured rear coil spring failure in 2023, the remaining springs and shock absorbers should be inspected for similar corrosion fatigue, and any bouncing or poor damping response over bumps should be noted as a warning sign. The overall condition implied by this record is mixed, with a genuine structural concern now resolved but evidence across multiple test cycles of progressive corrosion affecting suspension, steering, and underbody components. The recurrence of track rod end advisories from 2022 through 2025 indicates this is a chronic wear point on this vehicle, and replacement parts should be confirmed as quality items rather than budget alternatives. Any pre-purchase inspection should specifically verify the subframe repair documentation, examine all underbody seams and chassis rails for similar corrosion, and test the headlights on a level surface to confirm aim remains within tolerance.