2015 Vauxhall Adam 1.2L Petrol · SW15 EFX

The most recent DVSA examination on 11 July 2026 resulted in a clean pass with no advisories or defects recorded, indicating that at the time of test the vehicle met all statutory roadworthiness requirements. Looking at the broader trend, the MOT history demonstrates a generally stable maintenance profile with one notable setback in May 2024, when the vehicle failed on a leaking offside front shock absorber and a deteriorated track rod end dust cover. Since that failure, the car has passed three consecutive tests, although advisories relating to front brake pads, front brake discs, and front tyre wear have appeared intermittently. The recurrence of advisories on the same front axle components suggests that consumables in that area are wearing at a predictable rate, but the absence of any further major defects implies that the rectification work carried out after the 2024 failure has held up satisfactorily. With 81,080 miles recorded over an 11-year life, this Vauxhall Adam has covered approximately 7,371 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a small urban runabout of this type. The mileage progression between tests appears reasonably consistent without any prolonged standing periods or sudden spikes that might indicate fleet use or towing. For a petrol-engined city car of this age and mileage, the mechanical implications centre on wear to the clutch, engine oil consumption, cooling system components, and the usual age-related degradation of rubber and plastic parts rather than extreme high-mileage drivetrain fatigue. The relatively modest annual mileage is favourable for major mechanical components but does mean that the vehicle will have been subjected to a reasonable number of cold-start cycles, which can accelerate battery wear and moisture accumulation in the engine oil. The advisories concerning the front brake discs, first noted as worn, pitted, or scored in May 2024 and again as worn but not excessively in July 2025, are mechanically significant as they indicate progressive surface wear of the rotors. Disc wear of this nature typically produces a brake shudder or vibration through the steering wheel under firm braking, and the accompanying advisory on front brake pad thinness in 2025 suggests that a replacement of both pads and possibly discs will be due in the near term. The earlier nearside and offside front tyre advisories relating to edge wear point to possible misalignment of the front suspension geometry, which is worth investigating given that a leaking front shock absorber was replaced in 2024; incorrect camber or toe settings following suspension work, or worn suspension bushes, can cause premature and uneven tyre wear. On a test drive, the buyer should listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over uneven roads, which would suggest deteriorated anti-roll bar bushes, wishbone bushes, or top mount bearings, and should pay attention to steering precision and any pulling to one side under braking. Beyond the recorded advisories, several age-appropriate inspections are prudent for an 11-year-old vehicle regardless of its clean current MOT. The exterior and underbody should be examined for corrosion, particularly around the wheel arches, sills, and subframe mounting points, as small city cars of this era can be susceptible to surface rust even with low mileage. Tyres should be checked for sidewall cracking or perishing caused by age rather than tread wear, and a brake disc corrosion inspection is worthwhile as standing overnight in damp conditions can cause a film of rust that usually clears but may indicate seized or binding calipers if the vehicle pulls persistently. The 12-volt battery health should be verified, as batteries beyond five years of age frequently fail without warning, and a service history stamp check is essential to confirm that coolant, brake fluid, and automatic or manual transmission fluid have been renewed at their calendar-based intervals. Finally, verifying the timing belt or chain replacement interval for the specific engine fitted, along with a check for any oil leaks from the cam cover or sump gasket, will provide reassurance that the long-term maintenance has been attended to in line with the vehicle's age.