2015 Vauxhall Adam 1.4L Petrol · ST65 OWJ

Recorded across five MOT entries spanning 2023 to 2025, the roadworthiness profile of this Vauxhall Adam is best described as intermittent rather than consistently clean. The most recent test on 12 September 2025 was passed with no defects recorded, and the prior assessment on 17 September 2024 also returned a pass with no advisories. However, the pattern beneath the surface is more complex: a failure was logged on 17 September 2024 immediately before the same-day pass, and a separate failure appears on 20 September 2023, again closely followed by a pass on 21 September 2023. This back-to-back failure-and-pass sequence is characteristic of vehicles where specific components sit close to the pass/fail threshold and can be returned to a compliant state with minor rectification, but it does mean a prospective buyer cannot rely on the green pass stamps alone as evidence of underlying mechanical comfort. With 88,794 miles accumulated over an 11-year life, the Adam is running at approximately 8,072 miles per year, which sits comfortably within typical usage parameters for a city-focused supermini of its age. There are no extended dormant periods evident in the test history, with annual entries across consecutive years confirming the vehicle has been kept in active service. Mechanically, this level of use on a small petrol-engined Adam means normal wear consumption on clutches, brake components, tyres and suspension bushes, but nothing in the mileage profile suggests an abnormally high-stress application such as motorway commuter use or commercial deployment. The relatively modest annual accumulation is favourable for preserving interior trim and avoiding the corrosion progression sometimes seen on cars subjected to short, cold-trip cycles. Because the failure entries themselves carry no defect codes, the precise mechanical triggers remain unrecorded, which is precisely where a careful physical inspection and test drive earn their value. A buyer should pay close attention to the areas most commonly responsible for borderline MOT outcomes on Adam models of this age and mileage, namely front suspension components including lower wishbone bushes and drop links, as well as rear axle bushes which can perish and present as knocking over uneven road surfaces. The steering rack and track rod ends are also worth a manual check for play, as excessive free movement is a frequent cause of immediate failure. Listen for clonking over speed humps and during tight low-speed turns, and feel for any vagueness or self-centring delay in the steering. Brake system condition merits direct scrutiny given the cumulative mileage and the test pattern. Even though no specific brake defects were logged, binding calipers and worn or corroded disc surfaces are common on Adam platforms once mileage exceeds 80,000 miles, and they will not always be captured without a rolling brake test or visual inspection during an MOT. During a road test, verify that the car pulls cleanly in a straight line under firm braking, that the pedal feels firm without excessive travel, and that there is no judder through the steering wheel suggesting disc lateral run-out. Finally, examine the underside for any signs of fluid misting or weeping around the engine, gearbox and power steering components, as oil contamination on the exhaust or subframe can mask underlying seal degradation and is a frequent reason Adam models receive advisories once they enter the higher-mileage band represented here.