Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 LPG, 87 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €383 | €7,290 | 748 | LPG / Petrol | A14XEL, A14XER, B14XER, L2Z, LDD | Manual (5) | 2013–2019 |
| 1.2, 70 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €380 | €6,500 | 479 | Petrol | A12XER, B12XER, LWD | Manual (5) | 2013–2019 |
| 1.4, 100 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €384 | €7,480 | 260 | Petrol | A14XER, B14XER, LDD | Manual (5) | 2013–2019 |
| S, 150 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €413 | €10,200 | 249 | Petrol | B14NET, LUJ | Manual (6) | 2014–2019 |
| 1.0 DI, 115 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €380 | €7,400 | 159 | Petrol | B10XFT, LE1 | Manual (6) | 2014–2018 |
| 1.0 ECOTEC, 90 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €361 | €7,000 | 79 | Petrol | B10XFT, LE1 | Manual (6) | 2014–2018 |
| 1.4 Start&Stop, 87 PS, 5-speed automated manual Research | €364 | €9,990 | 52 | Petrol | B14XER, LDD | Automatisiertes Schaltgetriebe (5) | 2014–2018 |
At a glance
- Years: built 2013 to 2019 as the Adam, Adam Rocks and Adam S (1.4 Turbo).
- Reliability: 3/5. TÜV results are near average (AUTO BILD, TÜV-Report 2026). Misfires, oil wetness and worn springs and dampers are the typical faults, and many cars need steering, handbrake, roof or wheel recall work.
- DIY: 3/5. Most checks need no tools; recall work and suspension parts need a workshop.
- Prefer: a car with proof that the steering and handbrake recalls were done.
- Avoid: a car with an open steering recall, or oil on the ground under the engine.
Engines and gearboxes
- 1.2 petrol, 70 PS (A12XER, B12XER): no engine fault confirmed. The ignition misfire applies.
- 1.4 petrol, 87 or 100 PS (A14XER, A14XEL, B14XER): the ignition misfire applies. The 2018-2019 software recall covered 1.2 and 1.4 petrol. No LPG fault is confirmed for the factory LPG versions.
- 1.0 Turbo three-cylinder, 90 or 115 PS (B10XFT): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- Adam S 1.4 Turbo, 150 PS (B14NET): no fault confirmed in the sources read. ADAC lists B14NET for this engine.
- 5-speed manual: see Gear selection.
- 6-speed manual (1.0 Turbo and Adam S): see Gear selection; the oldest units, to about 2013, can have bearing problems (gebrauchtwagenberater).
- Easytronic 3.0 automated manual (1.4 87 PS): no cross-checked fault in the sources read.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ignition coils and misfire | 1.2 and 1.4 naturally aspirated petrol | Not stated | Not stated |
| Oil loss | Engine and gearbox | Not stated; seen from the second inspection | Not stated |
| Springs, dampers and axle mounts | All engines | From about six years old | Not stated |
| Gear selection | Manual gearboxes | Not stated | Not stated |
Before you buy
- Steering recall. Ask an Opel dealer to check the VIN and to show proof that the intermediate shaft work was done (see Recalls). Bad result: an open campaign.
- Handbrake. Park on a slope with the handbrake set. Bad result: the car creeps. Ask for proof of the recall work.
- Glass roof. Look at the glass from inside and outside. Bad result: the glass moves, rattles or sits unevenly. Ask for proof of the recall work.
- Alloy wheels. Check the 18-inch wheels for cracks on the rim and near the spokes. Bad result: any crack.
- Misfire check. Run a scanner with the engine warm and idling. Bad result: misfire codes or a rough idle. A scanner is needed.
- Oil. Check the dipstick with the engine cold, and look under the car. Bad result: low oil or fresh oil on the ground.
- Springs and dampers. Look at the springs, the shock absorbers and the rubber axle mounts, especially on cars over six years old. Bad result: a broken spring, an oily shock absorber or a cracked mount.
- Gear selection. On a stopped car, select first and reverse. Bad result: first gear is hard to find, or the shift lever moves loosely.
Running costs
| Operational | €164 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €108 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €102 |
| Total per month | €374 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €46 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 2,053
- 25th percentile
- €5,990
- Median price
- €7,499
- 75th percentile
- €9,290
- Median mileage
- 97,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2016
- Dealer share
- 63.4%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €7,756
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Ignition coils and misfire
The ignition module or coil wears with age and causes misfires: a cylinder stops firing and the engine runs rough. ADAC breakdown data names the ignition coil as a breakdown cause for 2013 to 2016 cars. The fix is a new coil or module. No price is stated.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater, Adam problems, AUTO BILD, TÜV-Check 2026, CarWiki, known faults
Oil loss
Oil wetness on the engine and gearbox grows with age. At the TÜV it is noted from the second inspection on, and AUTO BILD calls it typical for Opel. firmenauto also lists oil loss on older models. No engine code is given, and no fix or price is stated.
Sources: AUTO BILD, TÜV-Check 2026, CarWiki, known faults, firmenauto, Adam HU guide
Springs, dampers and axle mounts
Springs break and shock absorbers leak. The rubber axle mounts age and fail. Testers often cite spring and damper faults on cars over six years old. No price is stated.
Sources: AUTO BILD, TÜV-Check 2026, firmenauto, Adam HU guide, CarWiki, known faults
Gear selection (manual gearboxes)
First gear can be hard to select, because the gear linkage goes out of adjustment (Auto Express). A shift lever that nods under acceleration or braking points to gearbox wear. gebrauchtwagenberater says the oldest six-speed units, built up to about 2013, have bearing problems. ADAC breakdown data names the shift lever for 2013 and 2014 cars. No price is stated.
Sources: Auto Express, used car review, AUTO BILD, TÜV-Check 2026, gebrauchtwagenberater, Adam buying advice
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK and Germany (press; KBA warning quoted) | not given | Built February to September 2014 (right-hand drive 22 March to 24 September 2014; left-hand drive 6 February to 24 September 2014) | Steering intermediate shaft may break. Replace parts coded 20E4 or 20K3. Check about 10 minutes, replacement about 30 minutes (Germany). |
| UK (Auto Express, RAC Drive) | not given | Built June 2014 to September 2015 | Lower control arm may be assembled wrongly; the steering knuckle can come loose. Remedy not stated. |
| UK and Germany (press; 2017 KBA handbrake recall per AUTO BILD) | not given | Built June 2016 to January 2017 (UK) | Handbrake may disengage. Remedy not stated. |
| Austria (ÖAMTC) and Germany (press) | not given | Model years 2013-2017 | Glass roof bond may not hold. Frame secured with cable ties, about 1.5 hours (Austria). |
| Austria (ÖAMTC) and UK (press) | not given | Model years 2013-2015 | 18-inch alloy wheels crack from about 100,000 km. Wheels replaced, about 1.5 hours (Austria). |
| Europe (Motor1; CarWiki) | not given | Built 2018 and 2019 | Lambda control fails at high speed; NOx limits can be exceeded above 50,000 km. Software update. |
Ask an Opel dealer to check the VIN for open campaigns before you buy.
Maintenance
- Oil: check the level at every fill-up. Oil wetness is a TÜV finding from the second inspection on.
- Springs and dampers: check them at every service on cars over six years old.
Sources
English
- Auto Express, Vauxhall Corsa and Adam urgent recall
- Auto Express, used Vauxhall Adam review
- RAC Drive, Vauxhall Adam used car review
German
- AUTO BILD, Opel Adam im TÜV-Check 2026
- CarWiki, Opel Adam known faults
- gebrauchtwagenberater, Opel Adam Probleme
- gebrauchtwagenberater, Opel Adam Probleme und Kaufberatung
- kfz-auskunft, KBA warning on steering parts
- firmenauto, steering recall 2016
- firmenauto, Opel Adam HU guide 2025
- ÖAMTC, Opel Adam glass roof recall
- ÖAMTC, Opel Adam alloy wheel recall
- Motor1, Opel Adam NOx recall 2019
Russian
Russian coverage has no fault reports. The Russian sources read give engine and launch data only, so none is used on this page.