2014 Vauxhall Adam 1.2L Petrol · MS55 DEM

The most recent DVSA examination on 19 January 2026 returned a PASS, with a single advisory noting that the front brake pads are wearing thin. This is consistent with the broader pattern observed across the last several tests, where the vehicle has remained fundamentally roadworthy but has accumulated a series of advisories pointing to ageing consumables, most notably tyres showing perishing and edge wear. Earlier in 2025 the car failed on a nearside front shock absorber with a serious fluid leak, and just prior to that it failed on a fractured offside front coil spring, both of which are structurally significant suspension failures. The overall trend is not one of neglect so much as one of a chassis now entering the phase of life where rubber, fluid-containing, and spring components begin to fail in sequence, and the buyer should treat each recorded advisory as a near-term cost rather than as background information. With 80,119 miles recorded over approximately twelve years, the ADAM is averaging around 6,677 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a small urban runabout of this age and slightly below the national average. There are no unusual gaps or sudden spikes in the recorded mileage from what can be inferred, suggesting fairly steady, predominantly short-journey use. Mechanically, this kind of usage profile tends to be hard on components that suffer from lack of sustained heat cycles; brake discs corrode quickly when a car is rarely used on longer runs, calipers seize from infrequent operation, oil dilution occurs from cold starts, and the exhaust system suffers from internal condensation. Conversely, the clutch, gearbox, and major engine internals will generally have worn less than the headline mileage might suggest, so the car should not be approached as heavily used in the traditional high-mileage sense. The most pressing items to verify on a physical inspection are the items flagged in the advisory history. The front brake pads should be physically measured for remaining friction material, and the discs checked for lipping, surface corrosion, and runout, as corroded or warped discs will produce a distinct pulsing or shuddering sensation through the brake pedal under firm application. The offside rear tyre should be examined for sidewall cracking and perishing, and both front tyres should be inspected for uneven shoulder wear, which on a small car like the ADAM is frequently a sign of worn suspension bushes, ball joints, or top mount deterioration rather than simply a tracking issue. A test drive should be carried out over broken road surfaces, listening for clonking or knocking from the front suspension that would indicate perished anti-roll bar bushes or worn drop links, and the body should be observed for any continued bouncing after a bump, which would suggest the replacement shock absorber fitted after the 2025 failure may already be underperforming, or that the opposite side unit is also degraded. Beyond the recorded defects, a buyer should be mindful of time-based deterioration that does not necessarily show in MOT records. The original 12-volt battery will almost certainly be due for replacement if it has not already been changed, and the coolant, brake fluid, and automatic or manual transmission fluid should be regarded as overdue for renewal purely on a calendar basis, regardless of the mileage. Underbonnet checks for perished rubber hoses, oil leaks from the cam cover and sump, and condition of the drive belts are worthwhile, as is a careful look underneath for any corrosion to the subframes, sill seams, and rear axle mounting points, which are common rot areas on cars of this vintage that have seen winter road salt. Finally, confirm that the service book stamps match the recorded mileage and that the cam belt or timing chain replacement interval is clearly documented, as neglecting this on a twelve-year-old Vauxhall would be an extremely costly oversight.