The invention relates to an adhesive application tool (10) and to a method for the automated and serial application of adhesive tape, especially onto surface parts of vehicle bodies. The adhesive application tool is provided with a support (12) for accommodating a roll (14) wound with adhesive tape (15) that is to be applied, with an application roller (28) for applying the adhesive tape (15) that is pulled off the roll (14), and with a holding device (20). Said holding device is located in front of the application roller (28) and is provided for holding the adhesive tape (15), which is pulled off the roll (14), ready between two application processes. The holding device (20) additionally serves to press adhesive tape (15), which is held ready, onto the surface to be adhered, for initiating an application process. A transfer from adhesive tape (15) pressed on by the holding device (20) is effected by the application roller (28) after the adhesive application tool is advanced. Said application roller can be extended toward (9) the adhesive tape (15) in a manner that is essentially perpendicular to the plane of the pressed-on adhesive tape (15), and is used for pressing on the adhesive tape (15) in a force-controlled manner.