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What to check: Vauxhall Mokka

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Ranked across all years of the Vauxhall Mokka, from its own MOT record and from what owners report. Tick it off at the car.

From this model's MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

Rubber boots and gaitersRuns high on this modelOn full steering lock, look in behind each front wheel at the concertina rubber boots on the driveshafts and steering rack. Splits, or grease flung around the arch, mean dirt is getting into a joint that costs far more than the boot protecting it.Recorded on 12.0% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.3%

LeaksRuns high on this modelLook at the ground where the car usually stands, then glance under the engine after your test drive. Fresh drips of oil or coolant are the cheapest warning you will ever get about a car.Recorded on 7.8% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 2.0%

Coil springsRuns high on this modelLook through the wheel spokes at the bottom coil of each spring; when springs snap it is usually there, and the break is visible. Step back and check the car sits level too. A dropped corner is often a broken spring.Recorded on 7.0% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.4%

ExhaustRuns high on this modelListen along the exhaust at cold idle for blowing or chuffing, and give the tailpipe a push to check nothing hangs loose. Small blows only get louder.Recorded on 6.0% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.6%

Lights and horn walkroundRuns high on this modelWith a helper, run every light: dipped, main beam, indicators, brake lights including the high-level one, reverse, fog, and the horn. On newer cars a dead LED section can mean replacing the whole lamp unit rather than a bulb.Recorded on 3.7% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.3%

Bushes and ball jointsRuns high on this modelDrive slowly over broken tarmac with the windows down and listen for clonks from either end. Back at the car, have someone rock the steering wheel while you rest a hand on each front wheel; play you can feel through the tyre is a worn joint.Recorded on 3.4% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.2%

Warning lights on ignitionRuns high on this modelTurn the ignition on without starting the engine and watch the dash. Every warning light should appear, then go out once it is running. Be more suspicious of a light that never comes on at all than of one that stays on; warning bulbs have been known to vanish before a sale.Recorded on 2.2% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.5%

Worth doing on any used car

These judge the seller's upkeep rather than the model.

Tyres, all fourRuns high on this modelCheck the tread across the full width of each tyre, inner edge included, and look for cracking and mismatched brands. A set of decent tyres is £500 or more on most cars, which makes this the easiest money to take off a price. If the pressure warning light is on, budget for sensors too.Recorded on 19.5% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 11.1%

Pads and discsLook through the wheel spokes at the brake disc. A pronounced lip on its outer edge, or a rusty and scored face, means discs and pads are due all round, a few hundred pounds on most cars. A haggling point rather than a reason to walk away.Recorded on 11.9% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 8.7%

Windscreen and wipersRuns high on this modelScan the glass in daylight for chips, especially in the driver's line of sight where even a small one can fail the MOT. Run the washers and check the wipers clear without smearing.Recorded on 4.1% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.7%

Because of what owners report

Drawn from the owner reports rather than the MOT data. These are the model-specific ones.

Start the engine stone cold and listen for a few seconds before it settles.A metallic rattle that fades as oil pressure builds points to timing chain wear on the 1.4 turbo petrol.

Press the clutch pedal and feel for vibration or an odd bite point, then take it up a hill in a low gear.Pedal vibration or a rattly idle at a standstill suggests the dual-mass flywheel is on its way out.

Get the car up on a ramp or lean on each front corner and listen for creaks; check the MOT history for suspension advisories.Knocks over bumps or repeat suspension advisories mean the top mounts and bushes are due, and this model runs worse than average here.

On a diesel, ask how the car is normally used and check for a recent forced-regeneration invoice.A car that's done nothing but short school-run trips is a DPF-clogging risk; no service history on this points to trouble ahead.

Play with the touchscreen, camera and CarPlay/Android Auto for a few minutes at the viewing.Freezing, dropouts or a black screen show up quickly and are worth a haggle even if not expensive to fix.

On an automatic, take a test drive that includes a full stop-start sequence and a gentle hill.Hesitation, jerks or a flare before a gear change means the box needs looking at before you buy.

Check the recall history against the VIN, especially on early Mokka X cars.An outstanding steering wheel bolt or steering rack recall should be sorted free at a dealer before you drive it hard.

Full Vauxhall Mokka reliability report