2013 Vauxhall Adam 1.4L Petrol · DF13 CTO

The DVSA history for this 2013 Vauxhall Adam presents a broadly reassuring picture of roadworthiness, with three passes logged in 2023 and 2024 and 2025, the most recent being a clean pass on 20 June 2025. The two failed tests, both in mid-2023 and mid-2025, are noteworthy because no specific defects were recorded against them, which suggests the failures were either for administrative reasons such as expired insurance or a missing certificate, or for items that were rectified and retested within days rather than for mechanical defects of any consequence. The absence of any advisories across the entire record indicates that during routine statutory testing, no components were flagged as showing wear, deterioration, or damage requiring attention, supporting an overall assessment of stable mechanical condition at the point of each annual examination. With 114,818 miles accumulated over roughly thirteen years, the car has averaged around 8,800 miles annually, which sits comfortably within the typical usage band for a small city-oriented hatchback of this era. There are no extended gaps in the MOT record that would suggest prolonged periods off the road, which is positive for components such as brakes, tyres, and suspension that benefit from regular use to prevent surface corrosion and flat-spotting. The mileage progression is consistent with steady, mixed-purpose motoring rather than heavy commercial use or long periods of idleness, meaning the engine, clutch, and gearbox have seen representative working loads for their claimed life. From a buyer perspective, the absence of recorded advisories means there are no specific components flagged from the official record to target during inspection, but the mileage level still warrants due diligence on the wear items typical of a thirteen-year-old Vauxhall Adam at this odometer reading. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly on the nearside, as the Adam is known to suffer from worn front wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and stabiliser bar links at higher mileages. Pay close attention to steering precision, as vague or wandering steering may indicate worn tie rod ends, while any knocking on full lock typically points to degraded strut top bearings or top mounts. For the braking system, feel for any judder through the brake pedal or steering wheel under firm stopping, which on this model is most often caused by warped or corroded front brake discs rather than pad wear, and listen for any grinding or scraping that would suggest pads have run low. Inspect the underside of the car, paying particular attention to the front subframe, suspension arms, and brake and fuel pipework for any surface corrosion, as these areas are prone to road salt attack on older urban hatchbacks. Finally, check the exhaust for any blowing sounds, rattles, or visible corrosion around the manifold and rear silencer box, and confirm that the cooling system is holding pressure with no signs of coolant leakage or white residue around the water pump and thermostat housing, all common age-related concerns on a petrol Adam approaching the end of its first decade of service.