Vauxhall Adam Rocks (2014-2018) running costs and reliability

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Running costs rating: 3.5 out of 53.5

Written by Debbie Wood Published: 6 June 2019

Miles per pound (mpp)

Reliable fuel consumption data for comparison purposes is not available for this model.

What is miles per pound?

Fuel economy

A more stringent standard for fuel economy (WLTP) was introduced from September 2017, and this model was not required to undergo that test. Its fuel economy measured under the previous test system was 44 - 57 mpg. However these figures are less likely to be achievable in real world driving and so should never be compared to another car's mpg which was measured under the newer, more realistic WLTP system.

View mpg & specs for any version

Running costs don’t set class standards
Most efficient is the 1.0-litre turbo
Tyres will be pricey due to large wheels

Running costs for the Vauxhall Adam Rocks aren’t as low as you’d expect given its diminutive dimensions and compact engine range.

Sadly, none of them set class standards for overall efficiency.

That said, whether you pick the most economical Rocks – 1.0i Turbo at 57.6mpg – or the thirstiest in the range – 1.4i Turbo quoted at 47.9mpg – there’s less than 10mpg difference across the whole range.

It’s a similar story with VED car tax: the lowest in the range (again, the 1.0i Turbo) is rated at 112g/km, the highest at 139g/km.

Replacement items such as tyres will prove pricier than other city cars, too, given that the smallest wheels fitted to the Rocks are 17-inchers. At least servicing costs will follow Vauxhall form and be reasonable.

Cleanest engine in the range still produces 112g/km of CO2
Sportiest S chimes in not much higher at 139g/km
No diesel engines to lower the CO2 burden

Ultra-low emissions are not the Vauxhall Adam Rocks’s forte, with the least-polluting engine option – the 1.0i Turbo – pumping out 112g/km of CO2.

The gap between the best and the worst isn’t especially wide, though, with the Rocks S’s 1.4i Turbo producing 139g/km.

Normally we wouldn’t recommend a diesel engine in a small car unless you planned to undertake a lot of motorway miles in it, but Vauxhall doesn’t even offer the option in an Adam Rocks.

Poor record of four DVSA recalls already
Mechanicals used elsewhere in the range
At least it feels well-assembled and robust

Reliability should be a Vauxhall Adam Rocks strong point given that its mechanical components are shared across a number of other models in the firm’s range, but statistics paint a different picture.

The DVSA vehicle inspectorate has so far issued four recalls for the Adam range, so check the work has been carried out if you’re buying a used one. Three of these related to stability and steering problems, while the fourth was specific to models fitted with 18-inch wheels.

At least it feels well-assembled using good quality materials for the majority of the interior trims and brand new examples should be free of the issues that prompted the recalls.