Car statistics
How many Vauxhall Adams are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 58,762 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 54,196 Vauxhall Adams licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 1,153 declared off the road (SORN). That is 5.1% fewer than the peak of 57,098 in 2019.
The highest year-end count was 57,098 in 2019.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 52 |
| 2013 | 7,908 |
| 2014 | 21,240 |
| 2015 | 31,295 |
| 2016 | 40,145 |
| 2017 | 47,418 |
| 2018 | 52,097 |
| 2019 | 57,098 |
| 2020 | 56,682 |
| 2021 | 56,269 |
| 2022 | 56,345 |
| 2023 | 55,929 |
| 2024 | 55,295 |
| 2025 | 54,510 |
| 2026 | 54,196 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
In 2025, 65.7% of Vauxhall Adam MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Vauxhall Adams tested pass 73.5% of the time, so the Vauxhall Adam does worse than average for its age, by 7.8 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 70.0%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Vauxhall Adam | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 6–7 years | 74.3% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 64.9% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 62.3% | 65.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Suspension is the most common reason a Vauxhall Adam fails its MOT, appearing on 45.4% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 6.5% of Vauxhall Adam tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 45.4% |
| Steering | 24.9% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 23.2% |
| Tyres | 18.4% |
| Brakes | 15.7% |
| Visibility | 13.1% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Vauxhall Adam failed its MOT in 2025 was “Shock absorbers: serious fluid leak”, on 18.8% of 20,169 failed tests. 53.9% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Shock absorbers: light misting of oil”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: serious fluid leak Suspension | 18.8% |
| Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Steering | 18.3% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 16.4% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 7.0% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.2% |
| Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened Suspension | 5.7% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 5.6% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 5.4% |
| Rear fog lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.0% |
| Track rod end: ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Steering | 4.4% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: light misting of oil Suspension | 17.0% |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 15.6% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 15.4% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 7.8% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 5.7% |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 4.9% |
| Macpherson strut: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 3.7% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.5% |
| Coil spring: corroded Suspension | 2.9% |
| Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 2.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
7 years of the Vauxhall Adam, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2013 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (62.9% passed first time) and the 2017 cars worst (66.7%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | – | 7,259 | 62.9% |
| 2014 | 13,877 | 12,767 | 61.9% |
| 2015 | 10,812 | 10,347 | 63.3% |
| 2016 | 9,167 | 9,109 | 65.3% |
| 2017 | 7,290 | 7,211 | 66.7% |
| 2018 | 5,365 | 5,257 | 71.5% |
| 2019 | 4,780 | 4,678 | 78.0% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Vauxhall Adam covers 5,623 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 6–7 years | 5,921 |
| 8–10 years | 5,697 |
| 11–14 years | 5,367 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Vauxhall Adams for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 13,657 in 2014. In 2025, 0 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 0 |
| ’02 | 0 |
| ’03 | 0 |
| ’04 | 0 |
| ’05 | 0 |
| ’06 | 0 |
| ’07 | 0 |
| ’08 | 0 |
| ’09 | 0 |
| ’10 | 0 |
| ’11 | 0 |
| ’12 | 52 |
| ’13 | 7,955 |
| ’14 | 13,657 |
| ’15 | 11,002 |
| ’16 | 9,568 |
| ’17 | 7,574 |
| ’18 | 5,474 |
| ’19 | 4,799 |
| ’20 | 1 |
| ’21 | 0 |
| ’22 | 3 |
| ’23 | 0 |
| ’24 | 1 |
| ’25 | 0 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 55,548 Vauxhall Adams licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 68.5% have an engine of 1,201cc to 1,300cc, and 30.3% have an engine of 1,301cc to 1,400cc. The share with an engine of 1,301cc to 1,400cc has fallen from 41.7% in 2014 to 30.3%.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,201cc to 1,300cc 38,062 licensed | 68.5% |
| 1,301cc to 1,400cc 16,805 licensed | 30.3% |
| Other sizes 681 licensed | 1.2% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,201–1,300cc | Petrol | 38,061 | 68.5% |
| 1,301–1,400cc | Petrol | 16,805 | 30.3% |
| 901–1,000cc | Petrol | 678 | 1.2% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,201–1,300cc | 1,301–1,400cc |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 58.1% | 41.7% |
| 2015 | 58.5% | 40.1% |
| 2016 | 60.9% | 37.5% |
| 2017 | 63.1% | 35.5% |
| 2018 | 65.7% | 33.0% |
| 2019 | 68.2% | 30.6% |
| 2020 | 68.3% | 30.5% |
| 2021 | 68.2% | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 68.3% | 30.5% |
| 2023 | 68.4% | 30.4% |
| 2024 | 68.5% | 30.3% |
| 2025 | 68.5% | 30.3% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Vauxhall Adam from 2013 to 2018. On the NEDC test (listings 2013 to 2018), official combined fuel economy for its petrol versions ranges from 44.1 to 60.1 mpg, with CO2 of 108 to 145 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 petrol | 55.4–60.1 | 108–119 | 2015–2018 | Euro 6 to Euro 6b | 14 |
| 1.2 petrol | 50.4–57.6 | 115–128 | 2013–2018 | Euro 5 to Euro 6d‑TEMP | 45 |
| 1.4 petrol | 44.1–56.5 | 118–145 | 2013–2018 | Euro 5 to Euro 6d‑TEMP | 69 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 10 safety recalls for the Vauxhall Adam since 1992, the first in 2014. The most recent was launched on 8 April 2019.
All 10 Vauxhall Adam recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Vauxhall Adam. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vauxhall Adam | 54,196 | −1.6% | 1,153 | 140 | Petrol |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 902,410 | −3.2% | 97,804 | 2 | Petrol |
| Vauxhall Astra | 527,414 | −9.7% | 94,476 | 8 | Petrol |
| Vauxhall Mokka | 304,093 | +4.1% | 3,804 | 22 | Petrol |
| Vauxhall Insignia | 157,793 | −11.4% | 16,368 | 51 | Diesel |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 55,349 Adam records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 58,762 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
