Opel Adam - mostly solid, but with quirks
The Opel model Adam, named after its founder, is an interlude in the history of the German car manufacturer. Small, agile, hip - but below average in terms of sales. Does this apply to its performance during the main inspection?
A small car that was discontinued after just six years, the Adam was given the name of Opel's founder at its market launch in 2013. Is this fitting? That would be too harsh a judgment. According to the "Auto Bild TÜV-Report 2024", however, it remains a mostly solid type, particularly pleasing female owners. However, it does have some typical Opel quirks.
Model history
From 2013 to 2019, the Adam, built on the larger Corsa platform, was produced. It was discontinued due to relatively weak sales - it didn't receive a facelift in the six years it was on the market. The little car, which was supposed to take market shares from models like the Fiat 500 or Mini, can be seen as an automotive experiment: it is one of the few car models that has neither a direct predecessor nor a successor.
Body and variants
The Adam has three doors and a steep rear - typical of small cars, it has no diesel option. However, it was offered as an LPG version and as the Adam S with 110 kW/150 PS. Variants include the Adam Rocks with SUV-style looks and the Adam Open Air with an electric folding roof.
Dimensions (according to ADAC)
- 3.70 to 3.75 meters x 1.72 meters x 1.48 to 1.49 meters (L x W x H)
- Trunk volume: 170 to 663 liters
Strengths
The suspension, drive shafts, and steering system remain constant, the headlights remain unadjusted, and the turn signals function reliably as do the foot brakes - the Adam receives a mostly positive rating in the main inspection (HU). "Excellent" according to the report are the brake lines and hoses, wear on the brake discs is rare. The exhaust system works reliably, exhaust inspections (AU) are rarely problematic.
Weaknesses
What remains are typical manufacturer issues: oil loss occurs more frequently than average after the second HU. Later, starting from the third inspection, it affects the suspension: defects in the springs and steering knuckles lead to an increase in faults. The brake booster comes into service from HU number four.
Reliability
The ADAC classifies the Adam with first registration in the years 2013 to 2016 as "ok", younger models are on "good" ratings. The main trouble spots, which require the most roadside assistance calls, are the fuel pumps for models from 2014 to 2016 and spark plugs (2013 and 2016).
Engines
- Gasoline (three- and four-cylinder, front-wheel drive): 51 hp/69 PS to 110 hp/150 PS
- Autogas (four-cylinder, front-wheel drive): 64 hp/87 PS
Dealer resale value according to the German Automobile Trust (DAT) with statistically expected kilometers - three price examples
- Adam 1.2 Base (6/2014); 51 kW/69 PS (Four-cylinder; Euro 6); 108,000 Kilometers; 5,047 Euro
- Adam 1.4 Turbo Rocks S Turbo ecoFlex (6/2018); 110 kW/150 PS (Four-cylinder); 70,000 Kilometers; 11,749 Euro
- Adam 1.4 LPG Open Air ecoFlex (6/2018); 64 kW/87 PS (Four-cylinder; Euro 6d TEMP); 70,000 Kilometers; 9,396 Euro
The Opel Adam, a used car model from the brand's history, often requires attention during MOT inspections due to common issues with its suspension and steering components. Despite these challenges, many used Opel Adam models with strong gasoline engines continue to be popular among car buyers due to their appealing prices.
