Vauxhall Adam (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 82 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,003

£167/month

MOT Pass Rate

82%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1398cc Petrol

Solid Option

82% pass rate, £2,003/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol1398cc14 years old82 tests70k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1398cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,003

Per month£167/mo

Per week£39/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

82% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

82% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Adams from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 82 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 69,741 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models332nd of 650(bottom half)

Rank among Vauxhall models559th of 870(bottom half)

vs average of all models+0%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average+4%(78% avg)

vs Vauxhall average-2%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

69,741

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Vauxhall Adam had 69,741 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%, while the 2013 model has the lowest at 78%. The 2012 scores 82%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Vauxhall Adam by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	89%	8,953	28,016 mi
2018	86%	10,351	36,563 mi
2017	83%	14,762	44,484 mi
2016	80%	19,075	50,003 mi
2015	80%	21,550	55,902 mi
2014	79%	26,634	62,381 mi
2013	78%	15,948	69,131 mi
2012	82%	82	69,741 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2014 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

79%

-3%

Vauxhall Corsa

2014 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

76%

-6%

Ford Focus

2013 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

78%

-4%

Nissan Qashqai

2013 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,228/year

72%

-10%

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About the 2012 Vauxhall Adam

The 2012 Vauxhall Adam is a small family car. Our records list a 1398cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 82 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 69,741 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Vauxhall Adam owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 Vauxhall Adam Fuel Costs

The 1398cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2012 Vauxhall Adam?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,003 (£167/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 82% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Vauxhall Adam Reliability Trend

Newer Vauxhall Adams pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2012 Vauxhall Adam

At 14 years old, the Vauxhall Adam is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 89%. Note: with only 82 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2012 Vauxhall Adam stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Vauxhall Adam(2012)	82%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003
Ford Fiesta(2014)	79%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750-£253
Vauxhall Corsa(2014)	76%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£150
Ford Focus(2013)	78%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£225
Nissan Qashqai(2013)	72%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£225

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2012 Vauxhall Adam

Is the 2012 Vauxhall Adam reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 82% of MOT tests on 2012 Vauxhall Adams ended in a pass, from 82 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's level with the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Vauxhall Adam cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,003 a year (£167 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Vauxhall Adam?

82% of 82 MOT tests on the 2012 Vauxhall Adam ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 332nd of 650 models first registered in 2012 (bottom half).

Which year Vauxhall Adam has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 Vauxhall Adam has the highest MOT pass rate at 89% and the 2013 the lowest at 78%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2012 Vauxhall Adam?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Vauxhall Adam is 69,741 miles, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.