Vauxhall Adam (2018)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 10,351 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£2,003
£167/month
MOT Pass Rate
86%
Good
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 8-20
1398cc Petrol
Solid Option
86% pass rate, £2,003/year to run. Close to the average across all models.
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Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Standard rate (from April 2017)
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. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).
Reliability Verdict
Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.
86% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Adams from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 10,351 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 36,563 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
36,563
Average miles
44,400
Expected for age
The average 2018 Vauxhall Adam had 36,563 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.
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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 2018 scores 86%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.
Vauxhall Adam by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2018 Vauxhall Adam
The 2018 Vauxhall Adam is a small family car. Our records list a 1398cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 10,351 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 24% of 2018 models for MOT pass rate.
With an average of 36,563 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Vauxhall Adam owners drive about as much as the UK average.
2018 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 2018 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 86% 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 2018 Vauxhall Adam
At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 89%. With 10,351 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
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.
Suspension Wear
Medium riskShock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2018 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(2018) | 86% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 8-20 | £2,003 |
| Ford Fiesta(2016) | 81% | £1,175 | £20 | Grp 1-8 | £1,600-£403 |
| Vauxhall Corsa(2016) | 81% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 8-20 | £2,003same |
| Ford Focus(2016) | 87% | £1,398 | £275 | Grp 12-25 | £2,078+£75 |
| Nissan Qashqai(2017) | 86% | £1,175 | £200 | Grp 5-15 | £1,780-£223 |
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 2018 Vauxhall Adam
Is the 2018 Vauxhall Adam reliable?
Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 86% of MOT tests on 2018 Vauxhall Adams ended in a pass, from 10,351 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 4 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2018 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 2018 Vauxhall Adam?
86% of 10,351 MOT tests on the 2018 Vauxhall Adam ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 468th of 607 models first registered in 2018 (bottom 24%).
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 2018 Vauxhall Adam?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 Vauxhall Adam is 36,563 miles, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.
Related Vauxhall Models
Explore other Vauxhall cars or similar models in the same category.
Vauxhall Corsa
2015 · 1398cc Petrol
Vauxhall Astra
2013 · 1700cc Diesel
Vauxhall Mokka
2015 · 1364cc Petrol
Ford Fiesta
2016 · 998cc Petrol
Vauxhall Corsa
2016 · 1398cc Petrol
Ford Focus
2016 · 1596cc Petrol
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