2017 Vauxhall Adam 1.2L Petrol · EW17 CHR

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 26 August 2026, although this pass was accompanied by an advisory noting light oil misting on the offside front shock absorber, a defect that had been flagged in the previous test as well. Six days prior to that pass, the car had failed its MOT on two dangerous brake-related grounds: a complete absence of recorded braking effort at the nearside front wheel and a front axle brake imbalance exceeding fifty percent. These two dangerous defects represent an immediate risk to road safety and would have resulted in a prohibition on driving the vehicle until rectified. The fact that the car subsequently passed only six days later indicates that a brake repair was carried out, though prospective buyers should obtain documentary evidence of exactly what work was undertaken and which components were replaced. Looking at the broader history, earlier tests between 2020 and 2022 were completely clean, before advisories appeared in 2023 relating to thinning front brake pads and worn, pitted front brake discs. The overall trend therefore shows a gradual decline in braking and suspension condition over the last three years, with the recent failure representing the most serious intervention point. With a recorded mileage of 47,967 miles over approximately nine years, this Vauxhall Adam has covered an annual average of around 5,330 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of its age. Such restrained usage generally equates to less wear on major mechanical components such as the engine, clutch, and drivetrain, but it brings its own set of age-related concerns that can be just as significant. Long periods of standing or only short journeys are particularly hard on items such as the 12-volt battery, brake calipers that can seize through corrosion, brake discs that can develop surface rust and lipping, and oil and coolant that degrade over time rather than through use. The MOT history itself shows broadly consistent annual test dates with no significant mileage gaps recorded, which suggests the vehicle has been in regular but light use rather than abandoned for extended intervals. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is to verify the nature and extent of the recent brake repair, since a dangerous failure of this nature involving a complete loss of effort at one wheel suggests either a seized caliper, a collapsed hydraulic seal, a failed brake hose, or a serious mechanical fault within the caliper assembly. On a test drive, listen carefully for any grinding, scraping, or squealing from the front brakes on initial application, and pay attention to any pulling to one side under braking, vibration through the steering wheel, or a soft or inconsistent brake pedal feel. The steering should track dead straight under heavy braking on a smooth road, and the car should not require any steering correction to maintain a straight line. The offside front shock absorber oil misting advisory is a less urgent matter but should not be ignored, as it indicates the beginning of seal failure that will progress over time; symptoms include a slightly wallowy front end over undulating surfaces, extended stopping distances on poor road surfaces, uneven tyre wear on the front tyres particularly on the inner or outer shoulders, and a faint knocking or tapping noise from the front suspension over bumps. Inspect the shock absorber body itself for fresh oil residue and check the front tyres for any uneven tread pattern that might suggest the unit is no longer controlling wheel movement correctly. Beyond the documented MOT findings, several age and low-mileage related checks are strongly advised. Tyres fitted to a nine-year-old car, even with reasonable tread depth, can suffer from sidewall perishing and cracking caused by UV exposure and time rather than wear, so inspect the sidewalls carefully for any hairline cracks, brittleness, or visible crazing. The 12-volt battery is highly susceptible to early failure on low-mileage vehicles and should be load tested regardless of its apparent cranking performance; a weak battery can also produce intermittent electrical faults. Inspect all visible brake components for signs of corrosion, particularly around caliper slide pins and mounting bolts, as seized calipers are common on cars that have seen limited use. Verify the service book history to confirm that engine oil and filter changes, coolant renewal, brake fluid renewal, and spark plug replacement have been carried out at the correct calendar intervals, since low annual mileage does not exempt a vehicle from time-based servicing. Finally, examine the underside and wheel arch liners for any surface corrosion that may have developed during winter road use, and check that all flexible brake hoses and suspension components are free from perishing or cracking consistent with the vehicle's age.