2018 Vauxhall Adam 1.2L Petrol · SL18 YVC

The 1.2-litre petrol engine in this Adam is one of the more economical variants, with real-world fuel economy typically in the 45-50 mpg range. Vauxhall Adam 1.2 models generally fall into insurance group 3-5, making this one of the cheaper small cars to insure. Road tax is £35 per year as it sits below the £40,000 list-price threshold, and the 1.2 engine avoids the higher VED bands applied to larger-capacity petrols.

Routine maintenance is modest — an annual service for a 1.2 petrol Adam typically costs £150-£220 at an independent garage. Timing chains on this engine are generally durable but listen for any rattle on cold start. The MOT history suggests brake pads and shock absorbers are consumables to budget for roughly every 20,000-30,000 miles on this model.

Estimated annual running cost: £1,400-£1,800, covering fuel (assuming 6,000 miles), tax, insurance, servicing and a modest maintenance allowance. This assumes average mileage; if you intend to drive further, fuel will be the main variable cost.

Start with the suspension, given the May 2025 failure for a leaking nearside front shock absorber. Push down firmly on each corner and release — the car should settle once and stop, not bounce repeatedly. Inspect the offside front shock for any seepage and check that both front strut tops are free of play. Also examine the rear dampers, as the Adam's relatively soft suspension geometry is known to wear rear bushes.

The brake system should be a focus. The 2025 MOT failure flagged worn offside front brake pads, so inspect the pad thickness through the wheel and check the discs for lipping or scoring. The 2026 test recorded no further brake advisories, suggesting work was carried out, but verify by looking at the discs themselves. On the test drive, listen for any squeal or grinding under light braking.

Finally, the 2026 MOT flagged cracking on both offside tyres. Inspect all four tyres for age-related perishing (look for the DOT date code on the sidewall) and uneven wear patterns that might indicate tracking or suspension misalignment. The Adam's model-wide top MOT failure reasons — shock absorbers and headlamps — are worth a quick check too: test both headlamps for condensation and aim, and check the front ball joints by rocking the tyre at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions with the wheel off the ground.