2016 Vauxhall Adam 1.2L Petrol · LP05 ALF

A chronic pattern of front suspension wear defines the mechanical story of this 2016 Vauxhall Adam, with two of the five recorded MOT tests ending in failure and the most recent examination on 20 May 2026 illustrating the issue clearly. On that date the car was presented and initially failed on Major defects for excessive wear or free play in both the offside and nearside front Macpherson strut top bushes or bearings, before being submitted for retest the same day and passing with no advisories recorded. The 2025 test had already flagged a corroding front subframe and corroding rear coil springs as advisories, suggesting that chassis-related deterioration was already underway before the strut top mount failure materialised. With the subframe corrosion noted a year prior and a serious front shock absorber fluid leak recorded as a Major in mid-2022, there is a recurring theme of front-end and underbody degradation that any prospective buyer needs to treat as an ongoing concern rather than a one-off repair. Against its ten-year age, the recorded mileage of 55,937 equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 5,600 miles, which is notably low for the vehicle's class and age. Such restrained usage typically means less wear on internal drivetrain components, clutch and high-mileage service items, but it also raises the prospect of extended standing periods during which oil seals, brake callipers, brake hoses, coolant hoses, the 12V battery and exterior rubber components can deteriorate from disuse rather than wear. The MOT record shows relatively even gaps of around twelve months between tests, so the car has not been formally declared off the road for any prolonged spell, but the low annual figure still warrants particular attention to dry or perished rubber, seizing caliper slides and the condition of brake fluid and coolant during any inspection. The combination of low mileage and recorded chassis corrosion suggests the vehicle has spent significant time exposed to the elements rather than being regularly exercised. The subframe corrosion advisory from 2025 is the most significant structural item on file and should be physically examined on a ramp or over a pit before purchase, paying close attention to the mounting points, steering rack attachment and any evidence of flaking or perforation around weld seams. The 2026 strut top mount failure means the front struts and their upper bearing assemblies have likely been renewed, and on a road test the buyer should listen for clonking or creaking over speed humps and uneven surfaces, watch for steering vagueness or imprecise turn-in, and feel for any judder through the wheel when braking. Given the 2022 shock absorber fluid leak, it is worth confirming whether new units were fitted and whether the replacements are the same age as the new top mounts or older, as mismatched damping can produce an unsettled ride. The 2024 advisories for a split fuel cap seal and cuts to both rear tyres, combined with the same-day failure for an inoperative front windscreen washer and a failed rear registration plate lamp, point to a pattern of minor trim and electrical neglect rather than mechanical issues, but the wiring, bulbs and washer system should still be checked end to end. The 2025 minor advisories for both wiper blades confirm that exterior consumables have not always been replaced proactively. On a test drive, expect to feel the small car characteristics of the Adam platform, but listen specifically for any knock from the front suspension over rough roads, any clonking from the rear coil spring areas given the recorded corrosion, and any pulling or vibration that might indicate uneven strut behaviour. A mechanic's inspection focusing on the front strut assemblies, rear spring seats, subframe integrity, brake calliper condition and a thorough check of the underbody for any progression of the corrosion noted in 2025 would be a proportionate response to this vehicle's documented history.