Vauxhall Mokka Common Faults in the UK
Mk1 and Mokka X 2012–2019, Mk2 and Mokka Electric 2021–on — small crossover. Updated 24 September 2026.
This guide covers the Mk1 and Mokka X 2012–2019, Mk2 and Mokka Electric 2021–on. For any other version of the Mokka, see how to check any car for known faults.
The two Mokka generations are different cars with different risks, and the engine matters more than the year. On the 2012–2019 car the 1.6 CDTi diesel timing chain is the expensive one; on the 2021-on car it is the 1.2 PureTech wet timing belt, which Stellantis has since extended warranty cover for. Everything else is ordinary. Check the recall history by registration first — there are DVSA recalls on both generations, including a Takata airbag campaign.
Largest DVSA recall for the Mokka: R/2025/511, 174,846 vehicles — Vauxhall cross carline Driver’s Airbag - Takata. See the 5 DVSA recalls listed for this model.
74.0% of Vauxhall Mokkas pass the MOT first time, 7.0 points worse than the national average for cars of the same age (81.0%). Counted from 26,627 DVSA tests on cars registered 2013–2022; a pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a first-time pass; DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. Compared against cars of the same registration years, because pass rates otherwise mostly measure how old a model's surviving fleet is.
See it by registration year and by mileage ↓The asking-price figures above are the middle 80% and the median of what sellers were asking on Autoza on 1 October 2026 — not what buyers pay — for Vauxhall Mokka cars registered from 2012. They are worked out from the cars on sale when this page is generated, and none is shown when fewer than 10 cars qualify. The other quick-stats values are indicative editorial estimates aggregated from owner-forum sentiment, recall data and reliability surveys. We do not publish a UK price index, and no figure here should be quoted as one. See our research methodology for the sample sizes behind any figure we publish.
Best and worst years to buy
We name a year as a best or worst buy only where the DVSA MOT table further down does not rate it the other way.
On the second generation the 2022-on cars benefit from Stellantis having extended cover on the PureTech belt after the problem became widely reported. They are not recall-free: R/2025/282 (high-pressure fuel pipe, fire risk, 23,792 Mokkas built November 2022 to April 2025) overlaps 2022–2023 cars. On the first generation the later Mokka X cars (2017–2018) are inside the same Takata airbag recall, R/2025/511, and brake-pedal recall, R/2021/063, as the earliest cars. The DVSA MOT table on this page rates 2017 and 2018 registrations below all cars registered those years, so they are not named as best-buy years.
2023 cars are too new for the DVSA table below, so there is no MOT record behind that year yet.
The earliest cars have the highest mileages and the least remaining warranty. Open recall exposure is not what separates them: the Takata airbag recall R/2025/511 (174,846 vehicles built 15 December 2011 to 6 June 2018) and the brake-pedal recall R/2021/063 (built 30 May 2012 to 26 June 2019) cover 2017–2018 Mokka X cars as fully as 2012–2013 ones. The 1.6 CDTi diesel across the first generation is the single most expensive thing to get wrong.
Known faults — Vauxhall Mokka Mk1 and Mokka X 2012–2019, Mk2 and Mokka Electric 2021–on
How to read this list. Items marked Safety recall are DVSA safety recalls, shown with DVSA’s own reference. Whether a particular car is affected depends on when it was built: check it by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check. Items marked Manufacturer service action are published fixes that are not formal safety recalls — a dealer will know them by number, but they carry no DVSA reference and no obligation. Everything else in this list is owner-reported: patterns that come up repeatedly with workshops, owner forums and reliability surveys. Those are worth checking on a viewing, but how often they happen is not known — there is no published dataset behind them, and most cars of a given model will never show them. Treat an owner-reported item as a question to ask, not a fault this car has.
Airbag — Takata driver airbag inflator
- Symptoms
- No symptom. An inflator that can rupture in a deployment. Identified by a cross-carline DVSA recall covering many manufacturers, not a Mokka-specific fault.
- Years affected
- Check by registration — DVSA lists the affected build range
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record.
Brakes — pedal may stick at high interior temperatures
- Symptoms
- Brake pedal feels sticky or slow to return in hot weather.
- Years affected
- Check by registration on GOV.UK
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record.
Fuel system — high-pressure fuel pipe connection
- Symptoms
- A fuel pipe connection that can leak, with a fire risk.
- Years affected
- Check by registration on GOV.UK
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record.
Engine — DV5R 1.5 diesel camshaft drive chain
- Symptoms
- Premature camshaft drive chain wear. DVSA titles it "Vauxhall DV5R Engines Camshaft Chain".
- Years affected
- Check by registration on GOV.UK
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record.
Engine — 1.2 PureTech wet timing belt (2021-on petrol)
- Symptoms
- The belt runs in engine oil. Owners and workshops report the belt degrading and shedding material, and a rattle or a low-oil-pressure warning is the point at which it becomes expensive.
- Years affected
- 2021-on petrol
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £1,000–£2,500 for the belt job, far more if it has already failed
- What to check before buying
- Ask for evidence the belt has been done and at what mileage, and ask the selling dealer whether the car is covered by the Stellantis extended warranty on this engine. Stellantis both extended cover and set up a compensation route after the problem became widely reported, which tells you how common it became — but nobody publishes a failure rate, so treat this as a question to ask rather than a fault the car has.
Engine — 1.6 CDTi diesel timing chain (2015–2019)
- Symptoms
- Rattle on start-up that fades, or a chain noise under load.
- Years affected
- 2015–2019 diesel
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £1,200–£2,500
- What to check before buying
- Cold-start the car yourself and never accept "it is already warm". Frequency is not published — there is no recall behind this one — so judge it on the service history and what you hear.
Cooling — 1.4 Turbo water pump and coolant pipes
- Symptoms
- Coolant loss with no obvious puddle, or a heater that stops getting hot.
- Years affected
- First-generation 1.4 Turbo petrol
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £300–£700
- What to check before buying
- Check the coolant level and look for crusty residue around the pump and pipe joints. Common enough to be worth five minutes, not common enough to avoid the car over.
Transmission — automatic judder and harsh shifts
- Symptoms
- Shudder pulling away, or a jolt between the lower gears.
- Years affected
- First generation
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £400–£1,800 depending on cause
- What to check before buying
- Drive it from cold through the first three gears twice. A dealer will often blame fluid; get it in writing if they promise a fix.
Cambelt or chain — it depends on the engine
- Symptoms
- Not a fault. The single most expensive thing a Mokka buyer can get wrong, because the two generations and their engines differ.
- Years affected
- All
- What to check before buying
- Establish which engine the car has BEFORE agreeing a price, then ask for the belt or chain history for that specific engine. A Vauxhall franchised dealer publishes a 100,000-mile cambelt interval for the models that have one, and the PureTech wet-belt interval has been revised downward since launch — an older recommendation is not the current one.
More DVSA safety recalls for the Vauxhall Mokka, largest first
These are the recalls DVSA lists for this model and its build years that the cards above do not already describe: every one of 10,000 or more vehicles, largest first, with DVSA’s own reference and figures. A recall covers only cars built in its dates and within its VIN range — check a particular car by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check. “Critical” here means DVSA’s own notice tells owners not to drive the car until it is fixed. It is never a size: “Large” means DVSA lists 10,000 or more vehicles in the recall.
- Safety recall · R/2023/139Large recall — 34,528 vehicles
On affected vehicles the AC compressor stator wiring could develop a fault leading to current loss inside the AC compressor that could result in a vehicle powertrain shutdown when driving.
34,528 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 28 September 2020 and 28 October 2020 · recall launched 9 May 2023
Source: DVSA vehicle recalls file (every recall since 1992), published under the Open Government Licence. Where DVSA gives one figure for a recall that covers several models, it is shown as the whole recall’s total.
Vauxhall Mokka MOT results by year and mileage
Measured from DVSA’s own MOT test records for tests carried out in 2025, not from owner reports.
By registration year
Against all cars registered in the same year, the MOT pass rate for the Mokka was lower in 8 and level in 1 of the 9 registration years from 2013 to 2022 with enough tests to measure. The widest gap below is 2016 registrations: 67.8% against 79.4% for all cars registered that year.
| Registered | Mokka | All cars that year | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20222,136 tests | 92.3% | 91.2% | +1.1 level |
| 20211,250 tests | 86.8% | 90.1% | −3.3 lower |
| 20192,242 tests | 82.3% | 86.9% | −4.6 lower |
| 20183,359 tests | 75.0% | 84.5% | −9.5 lower |
| 20173,868 tests | 72.3% | 82.2% | −9.9 lower |
| 20164,186 tests | 67.8% | 79.4% | −11.6 lower |
| 20154,628 tests | 69.2% | 76.7% | −7.5 lower |
| 20143,431 tests | 69.8% | 74.3% | −4.5 lower |
| 20131,387 tests | 68.3% | 71.9% | −3.6 lower |
By mileage at the test
Against cars of the same age on the same mileage, the pass rate for the Mokka was lower in 4 and level in 1 of the 5 mileage bands with enough tests. How other models compare at the same mileage.
Show the table by mileage (5 bands)
| Mileage | Mokka | Same age and mileage | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k2,199 tests | 93.4% | 94.1% | −0.7 level |
| 20k–40k5,362 tests | 84.4% | 88.5% | −4.1 lower |
| 40k–60k7,101 tests | 74.2% | 82.6% | −8.4 lower |
| 60k–80k6,179 tests | 67.2% | 77.7% | −10.5 lower |
| 80k–100k3,643 tests | 65.3% | 74.0% | −8.8 lower |
Only a major or dangerous defect fails an MOT. A minor defect is recorded on the certificate and the car still passes, and an advisory is not a failure at all.
We don’t give a recall count for the Vauxhall Mokka: whether a recall applies depends on the individual car. Check the one you are looking at by entering its registration on GOV.UK’s vehicle recall checker, and see how to check a car for known faults for the other free checks.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a first-time pass; DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Odometer readings below 100 or above 400,000 miles are discarded as misreadings, and cars under three years old are excluded because no MOT is yet due. Sampled from nine months of 2025 (January, February, April, May, July, August, September, October and November). Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. Registration years shown are cars 3 to 12 years old when tested; the smallest rests on 1,250 tests. A gap is called level when it is under one percentage point or inside the 95% sampling margin for that number of tests. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Who this car suits — and who should look elsewhere
Buyers who want a high driving position and a small footprint, and who will check the engine and its belt or chain history before the price.
Anyone buying a 2021-on PureTech petrol without evidence of the belt history, or an early diesel without a full service record.
Alternatives to consider
If the Vauxhall Mokka doesn't suit, these comparable models are worth a look in the UK market:
- →Nissan Juke common faults
- →Renault Captur
- →Peugeot 2008
Vauxhall Mokka: questions buyers ask
What are the most common faults on a used Vauxhall Mokka in the UK?
The two Mokka generations are different cars with different risks, and the engine matters more than the year. On the 2012–2019 car the 1.6 CDTi diesel timing chain is the expensive one; on the 2021-on car it is the 1.2 PureTech wet timing belt, which Stellantis has since extended warranty cover for. Everything else is ordinary. Check the recall history by registration first — there are DVSA recalls on both generations, including a Takata airbag campaign.
What is the best year to buy a used Vauxhall Mokka in the UK?
Best-buy years: 2022, 2023. On the second generation the 2022-on cars benefit from Stellantis having extended cover on the PureTech belt after the problem became widely reported. They are not recall-free: R/2025/282 (high-pressure fuel pipe, fire risk, 23,792 Mokkas built November 2022 to April 2025) overlaps 2022–2023 cars. On the first generation the later Mokka X cars (2017–2018) are inside the same Takata airbag recall, R/2025/511, and brake-pedal recall, R/2021/063, as the earliest cars. The DVSA MOT table on this page rates 2017 and 2018 registrations below all cars registered those years, so they are not named as best-buy years.
What years of Vauxhall Mokka should I avoid in the UK?
Worst years: 2012, 2013. The earliest cars have the highest mileages and the least remaining warranty. Open recall exposure is not what separates them: the Takata airbag recall R/2025/511 (174,846 vehicles built 15 December 2011 to 6 June 2018) and the brake-pedal recall R/2021/063 (built 30 May 2012 to 26 June 2019) cover 2017–2018 Mokka X cars as fully as 2012–2013 ones. The 1.6 CDTi diesel across the first generation is the single most expensive thing to get wrong.
How much does a used Vauxhall Mokka cost in the UK in 2026?
What sellers were asking on Autoza on 1 October 2026, for Vauxhall Mokka cars registered from 2012: £3,480–£12,495, median £5,495 — the range is the middle 80% of asking prices. Those are asking prices, not what buyers paid, and not a UK price index. Prices vary by mileage, region and trim, so compare several adverts of the same year and mileage band before negotiating.
What is the road tax (VED) on a Vauxhall Mokka in the UK?
Annual road tax (VED): £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. A car registered from April 2017 with a list price over £40,000 when new adds the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 (£640 in all). Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
What real-world fuel economy does a Vauxhall Mokka achieve on UK roads?
Typical real-world consumption: 38–45 mpg real-world for the 1.4 Turbo petrol; the 1.6 CDTi diesel returns more on a run. UK driving (mix of motorway and single-carriageway, often wet) tends to come in 10–15% worse than the official WLTP figure.
How does a Vauxhall Mokka compare to its rivals?
Strong alternatives in the UK: Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008. Choose based on dealer network in your area, parts availability, and your priorities (running cost vs. cabin quality vs. badge).
Who is the Vauxhall Mokka most suitable for?
Buyers who want a high driving position and a small footprint, and who will check the engine and its belt or chain history before the price.
Who should NOT buy a Vauxhall Mokka?
Anyone buying a 2021-on PureTech petrol without evidence of the belt history, or an early diesel without a full service record.
Are there safety recalls on the Vauxhall Mokka?
DVSA lists 5 safety recalls for the Vauxhall Mokka that this guide shows, the largest first: R/2025/511 (174,846 vehicles, built between 15 December 2011 and 6 June 2018): Vauxhall cross carline Driver’s Airbag - Takata; R/2021/063 (62,957 vehicles, built between 30 May 2012 and 26 June 2019): The brake pedal may potentially stick as a result of high vehicle interior temperatures; R/2023/139 (34,528 vehicles in the whole recall, built between 28 September 2020 and 28 October 2020): On affected vehicles the AC compressor stator wiring could develop a fault leading to current loss inside the AC compressor that could result in a vehicle powertrain shutdown when driving. Whether a particular car is affected depends on its build date and VIN, so check its registration on GOV.UK (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy.
Is the Airbag — Takata driver airbag inflator on the Vauxhall Mokka a serious problem?
Airbag — Takata driver airbag inflator on the Vauxhall Mokka is covered by DVSA safety recall R/2025/511. Symptoms: No symptom. An inflator that can rupture in a deployment. Identified by a cross-carline DVSA recall covering many manufacturers, not a Mokka-specific fault. Years affected: Check by registration — DVSA lists the affected build range. Indicative repair cost in the UK: Free under recall. What to check before buying: Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record.
Is the Brakes — pedal may stick at high interior temperatures on the Vauxhall Mokka a serious problem?
Brakes — pedal may stick at high interior temperatures on the Vauxhall Mokka is covered by DVSA safety recall R/2021/063. Symptoms: Brake pedal feels sticky or slow to return in hot weather. Years affected: Check by registration on GOV.UK. Indicative repair cost in the UK: Free under recall. What to check before buying: Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record.
Is the Fuel system — high-pressure fuel pipe connection on the Vauxhall Mokka a serious problem?
Fuel system — high-pressure fuel pipe connection on the Vauxhall Mokka is covered by DVSA safety recall R/2025/282. Symptoms: A fuel pipe connection that can leak, with a fire risk. Years affected: Check by registration on GOV.UK. Indicative repair cost in the UK: Free under recall. What to check before buying: Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record.
Looking to buy a Vauxhall Mokka in the UK?
Search Autoza listings filtered by year, mileage, and region. Dealer pages carry a public Trust Score you can check before you enquire.