Opel Adam Adam
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Opel Adam (2012–2019) was Opel's attempt to compete in the lifestyle segment against the Fiat 500 and Mini. Built in Eisenach, roughly 120,000 units total — not a mass-market model, but surprisingly affordable as a used car today. Technically based on a shortened Corsa D platform with proven GM engines. Anyone not expecting miracles in terms of performance gets a solid city car with manageable workshop costs.
Market overview: The Adam was discontinued in 2019 with no successor. Opel has since left the lifestyle segment to the Corsa F. That means: the Adam is becoming rarer, but parts remain available for the foreseeable future thanks to its Corsa D kinship. Typical Adam buyers treated the car well — city driving, modest mileage, often a second car.
Engine choice: The base A12XER (1.2, 51 kW) is undemanding but simply too weak for motorway stints — a pure city engine with real-world consumption around 5.5–6.5 litres. The better choice is the A14XER (1.4, 64 or 74 kW), proven millions of times in the Corsa D. Ignition coil rail and timing chain tensioner are the known topics, but no drama with proper maintenance. For spirited driving, there's the B14NET (1.4 Turbo, 110 kW) in the Adam S — a lively engine with 150 PS, though with a water pump weakness from 50,000–80,000 km (280–600 EUR) and occasional ignition coil problems (150–400 EUR). The three-cylinder B10XFT (1.0 Turbo, 66/85 kW) in the Adam Rocks sounds characterful, vibrates noticeably, and has isolated turbo issues on early production years. Real-world consumption for the turbo three-cylinder: 5.5–7 litres.
Weak points: The Easytronic (automated manual gearbox) hasn't improved in the Adam either — clutch actuator dies, jerking when pulling away, repair 800–1,500 EUR. Avoid categorically and only buy manual. Air conditioning compressor fails prematurely on 2013–2015 models (400–800 EUR). Folding roof on the Adam Rocks: mechanism jams, seals become porous after 5–6 years, water ingress into the cabin possible. Rust is not a major issue on the Adam — the galvanising holds, weak spots are at most the rear wheel arches after 10+ years. IntelliLink infotainment freezes occasionally on early software versions — check for updates at an Opel dealer.
Test drive checklist: Easytronic avoided? Good. Listen to cold start — chain rattle on the A12XER/A14XER indicates a worn tensioner. Switch on the air conditioning and let the compressor run for at least 5 minutes. B14NET: check coolant level and listen for water pump whine. On the Adam Rocks, open and close the folding roof several times — the mechanism must operate smoothly.
Buying advice: Market prices in 2026 are 2,500–5,500 EUR for 2014–2017 models with 60,000–90,000 km. Adam S with the B14NET from 5,000–7,500 EUR. Adam Rocks with folding roof 3,500–6,000 EUR. Insider tip: A14XER with 74 kW and manual 5-speed gearbox — the most reliable drivetrain, affordable parts, consumption around 6–7 litres. The personalisation options (colour combinations, IntelliLink) make the Adam attractive as a city car, but technically only the powertrain matters. Anyone looking for the Adam as a city runabout will run it cheaper than a used Mini Cooper.
150 PS
Adam · Benzin
Adam S – genuine city sprinter
Fun to Drive!Engine Overview
The Opel Adam Adam is available with 4 engine variants — from 69 to 150 hp.
Three-cylinder turbopetrol (1.0 L, 90–115 hp) from the GM Family 0 platform — punchy for its size but with known weak points. The timing chain is the central concern when oil changes are neglected: the tensioner loses tension from around 80,000 km, which manifests as rattling on cold start. The turbocharger itself is robust but sensitive to cold-load operation without a warm-up phase. Always use fully synthetic 5W-30 oil.
- !! Timing chain worn from 100,000 km
Timing chain stretches prematurely with long oil change intervals. Guide rails wear, chain tensioner gives way. In extreme cases, engine damage results.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling after cold start, in advanced stages audible when warm too. - !! Head gasket failure from 80,000 km
Rare but documented: head gasket fails, one cylinder burns out. Repair costs up to 9,000 € with consequential damage.
Symptoms: Engine runs rough, coolant level drops, yellow warning light, possible total engine failure. - !! Turbocharger wear from 120,000 km
The turbocharger suffers when the engine is switched off frequently without a cool-down period after full-load use. Oil carbon deposits cause bearing wear.
Symptoms: Whistling noise, blue smoke, power loss under boost, elevated oil consumption.
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Solid 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine with chain drive from the GM Family 0 platform. The most critical weak point is the timing chain tensioner, whose weak spring fails when oil changes are neglected — in the worst case the chain skips and causes valve damage. The thermostat and ignition coil rail are additional wear candidates that should be monitored. With regular oil changes (every 15,000 km at the latest) this is a trouble-free daily driver engine.
- !! Timing chain tensioner worn from 100,000 km
Weak spring in the hydraulic tensioner cannot hold pressure with old oil. Chain slaps especially on cold start. Opel tensioner 55352909 as an improvement.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling immediately after cold start, disappears after warm-up. - !! Timing cover seal leaking from 130,000 km
Coolant loss without external leaks and oil sludge on the oil filler cap point to head gasket or timing cover seal failure. From approx. 130,000 km.
Symptoms: Coolant level drops with no visible leak, oil sludge on filler cap. - !! Ignition coil module failure from 60,000 km
Spark plug connector insulation melts under heat exposure; moisture corrodes the contacts. Typical from 30,000–80,000 km.
Symptoms: Misfires and judder under load, engine management light, fault codes P0300–P0303.
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Simple, robust naturally aspirated engine without turbocharging, fundamentally easy to maintain and designed for high mileage. The main weakness is the combination of timing chain and mechanical water pump, which both sit in the same drive area and often need renewal together. The plastic thermostat housing becomes brittle over time. On examples with over 150,000 km, listen for chain rattle on cold start — rattling indicates a worn tensioner.
- !! Timing chain tensioner and guide rails worn from 100,000 km
The hydraulic chain tensioner cannot adequately tension the chain at low oil pressure (cold start). Plastic guide rails wear out. The problem occurs significantly earlier with neglected oil changes.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling immediately after cold start (disappears after 10–30 seconds), rhythmic clattering from the front of the engine, audible even when warm at advanced stages. - !! Water pump failing prematurely from 60,000 km
The mechanical water pump often fails as early as 18,000–79,000 km, well before its theoretical replacement interval. Its location in the timing chain area makes replacement labour-intensive.
Symptoms: Coolant loss (reddish fluid under vehicle), whistling from engine bay, temperature gauge rising, coolant level in reservoir visibly dropping. - !! Alternator failing prematurely from 90,000 km
Failures of the Hitachi alternator documented, particularly on vehicles with frequent short trips. Repair at an independent garage is significantly cheaper than at a main dealer.
Symptoms: Battery warning in instrument cluster, battery no longer charging fully, car fails to start after short standstill.
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Modern 1.4-litre turbo with direct injection from the GM Ecotec family. Powerful and efficient, but prone to turbocharger problems (wastegate rattle) and water ingress in the intake area. Timing chain instead of belt — long-lasting with regular oil changes. Piston ring issues on pre-2015 examples should be noted: oil consumption above 0.5 L per 1,000 km is a warning sign indicating internal wear.
- !! LSPI piston damage from 40,000 km
Pre-ignition at low RPM breaks piston ring lands and destroys crankshaft bearings. Pre-2018 models without software update most affected.
Symptoms: Knocking at low RPM under load, rising oil consumption, catastrophic engine failure - !! Timing chain stretch from 100,000 km
Timing chain stretches from extended oil change intervals or wrong oil. Advanced stretch risks valve-piston contact — catastrophic damage.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start (3-5 seconds), check engine light when severe - !! Crankshaft thrust bearing wear from 50,000 km
Crankshaft thrust bearings wear prematurely — crank walks in block, flywheel can rub. Opel introduced improved bearings from 2023.
Symptoms: Clutch pedal sinks when turning, clicking from engine bay, oil pressure warning
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Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Recall: panoramic glass roof can detach Recall (2018): The panoramic glass roof may detach while driving. Adhesive on the aluminium frame inadequate. Affected: Opel Adam with panoramic roof. Symptoms: No driver-noticeable symptoms — glass roof may detach at high speed without warning. | Low | |
| Steering intermediate shaft can fracture Steering intermediate shafts made from non-approved material can fracture, causing complete loss of steering. Symptoms: Klappern oder Spiel in der Lenkung; im Extremfall plötzlicher Verlust der Lenkfähigkeit | Low |
Alternatives
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 31 weaknesses have been documented for the Opel Adam Adam (2012–2019) — 18 engine-related and 13 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Other, Suspension, Electronics, HVAC.
Adam (A12XER, 2012–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain tensioner worn, Timing cover seal leaking, Ignition coil module failure. Power: 69 PS.
Adam (A14XER, 2012–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain tensioner and guide rails worn, Water pump failing prematurely, Alternator failing prematurely. Power: 87 PS.
Adam (A14XER, 2012–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain tensioner and guide rails worn, Water pump failing prematurely, Alternator failing prematurely. Power: 101 PS.
Adam (B10XFT, 2013–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain worn, Head gasket failure, Turbocharger wear. Power: 90 PS.
Adam (B10XFT, 2013–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain worn, Head gasket failure, Turbocharger wear. Power: 116 PS.
Adam (B14NET, 2014–2019) — Be Careful: LSPI piston damage, Timing chain stretch, Crankshaft thrust bearing wear. Power: 150 PS.
What to watch out for with the Opel Adam? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee