Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: KGC626, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: ContextCreator, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Customisable city car, rated 4 stars by Euro NCAP in 2013, but with a small boot (170 L). According to Fiches-auto, the water pump is its clearest weak point, and the ignition coils and rear shock absorbers are also cited; have these checked before buying.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €6,000 – €8,900
- Monthly cost
- €309
- Euro NCAP
- 4/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.4 Twinport 87.
1.2 Twinport 70
Petrol · Manual · 70 hp · Crit'Air 1
Entry-level 1.2 naturally aspirated: 14.8 s from 0 to 100 km/h. Enough for town driving.
1.4 Twinport 87
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 87 hp · 5.1 L/100 km · 122 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
1.4 naturally aspirated with 130 Nm and a 5-speed manual gearbox: the simple choice, without a turbo.
1.4 Twinport 87 GPL
Petrol · Manual · 87 hp · Crit'Air 1
1.4 petrol/LPG bi-fuel: 35 L LPG tank fitted in place of the spare wheel, LPG range below 400 km according to a German test.
1.0 Turbo 115
Petrol · Manual · 115 hp · Crit'Air 1
1.0 three-cylinder turbo with 170 Nm and a 6-speed manual gearbox: more punch, 4.7 L/100 km claimed combined.
1.4 Turbo 150 S
Petrol · Manual · 150 hp · Crit'Air 1
Sporty S version: 1.4 turbo with 150 hp and 220 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox, 8.5 s from 0 to 100 km/h.
Market prices
€6,000 – €8,900
Indicative range: 2013 to 2019, yearly medians of 134 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Faulty water pump
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingFiches-auto, based on 64 testimonials, presents the water pump as the Adam's clearest weakness: it can leak, whistle or become noisy, sometimes at low mileage. A thread on the Caradisiac forum also cites it as a known weak point. An untreated leak can lead to a loss of coolant.
- Versions
- 1.2 Twinport 70, 1.4 Twinport 87, 1.4 Twinport 87 GPL, 1.4 Turbo 150 S
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Spark plugs and ignition coils
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingA worn coil causes misfiring, the engine warning light, running on three cylinders and loss of power (Fiches-auto). L'argus notes risks of stalling linked to the spark plugs or coils on the 1.2 and 1.4; an owner on the Matmut forum mentions a coil that had to be replaced after 3 years.
- Versions
- 1.2 Twinport 70, 1.4 Twinport 87, 1.4 Twinport 87 GPL
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Rear shock absorber leaks
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingOwners on the Caradisiac forum report that the rear shock absorbers are fragile: one mentions a sealing fault that caused a failed contrôle technique (French roadworthiness test), and a tutorial describes a shock absorber leaking at 50,000 km.
- Versions
- 1.2 Twinport 70, 1.4 Twinport 87, 1.4 Twinport 87 GPL, 1.0 Turbo 115, 1.4 Turbo 150 S
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Lambda sensor: emissions recall (2018-2019 production)
Manufacturer recallIn 2019 Opel recalled Adam and Corsa models built between January 2018 and April 2019 with 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines (including LPG): the lambda sensor could malfunction after more than 50,000 km, and the Euro 6d nitrogen oxide limit could be exceeded. The fix is a software update to the engine control unit; Opel said it was not a safety defect.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 1.2 Twinport 70, 1.4 Twinport 87, 1.4 Twinport 87 GPL
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Opel Adam”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €126 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €68 |
| Maintenance | €35 |
| Depreciation | €80 |
| Total per month | €309 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€126
1.4 Twinport 87 version: combined consumption of 5.1 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
5.1 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €126
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€68
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€35
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€80
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Opel Adam I — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Check for any leak or noise from the water pump, and the coolant level.
- Check at start-up and at idle for misfires or the engine warning light (coils, spark plugs).
- Inspect the rear shock absorbers for oil traces: a leak can cause a failed contrôle technique.
- Ask an Opel dealer, using the serial number, whether the lambda sensor recall has been carried out (2018-2019 production).
- LPG version: ask for proof of the installation's service history and check the 35 L tank.
- Check the service book and invoices.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the water pump already been replaced, and at what mileage?
- Have the coils or spark plugs been changed?
- Has the lambda sensor recall been carried out (2018-2019 production)?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Harvey Bold, CC BY 4.0
Fiat 500
II · 2007–2024
- Price
- €5,000 – €16,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peugeot 208
I · 2012–2019
- Price
- €3,500 – €8,200
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Toyota Aygo
II · 2014–2021
- Price
- €7,000 – €10,900
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Opel Adam I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Euro NCAP rating for the Opel Adam?
4 stars out of 5, published by Euro NCAP in 2013 (adult 87%, child 72%, pedestrian 65%, driver assistance 81%).
What is the boot capacity of the Opel Adam?
170 litres minimum and 663 litres with the rear bench folded according to Caradisiac; Fiches-auto gives 190 litres, so the sources differ.
What is the main weak point of a used Opel Adam?
According to Fiches-auto, the water pump, which can leak or become noisy; the ignition coils are also frequently cited.
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