2018 Vauxhall Mokka 1.6L Diesel · CE68 LCF

With five MOT tests recorded since 2021 and mileage climbing steadily to 61,699, this Mokka has accumulated one major failure and four advisory entries across its recent history, indicating a vehicle that passes its annual roadworthiness checks but carries a pattern of recurring component wear rather than a perfectly clean record. The most recent test on 11 September 2025 was a pass, though the inspector flagged the offside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover as severely deteriorated, a Minor defect that warrants attention because once a ball joint gaiter splits, contamination accelerates joint wear and can ultimately compromise steering precision. Prior to that, the 2024 advisory noted perished rear tyres on both sides, while the 2023 entry recorded further cracking on the nearside rear tyre, suggesting the rear axle rubber has been ageing faster than the fronts. The single failure at the 2023 test is a serious one, with both rear brake pads recorded as dangerously thin at under 1.5mm, alongside a worn and pitted offside rear brake disc, and although the immediate pad replacement appears to have returned the vehicle to compliance, the discs may not have been changed at the same time and warrant close inspection. Mileage accumulation across the recorded period sits at roughly 7,712 miles annually, which is broadly consistent with average UK usage for a vehicle of this age and avoids the extremes of either low-mileage corrosion risk or high-mileage drivetrain fatigue. There are no significant gaps in the MOT history that would imply the vehicle was off the road for prolonged periods, and the steady year-on-year increase points to regular driving rather than extended standing. At this annual rate, consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, and suspension bushes will be subject to normal wear progression, and any component flagged in recent advisories should be regarded as approaching its replacement threshold. A prospective buyer should focus the inspection on the front suspension assembly, paying particular attention to the offside lower arm where the gaiter was noted as severely deteriorated. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, which would indicate that ball joint wear has progressed beyond the failed dust cover, and feel for any vagueness or rattle through the steering wheel during low-speed cornering. Clamp the offside front wheel and attempt to rock it top-to-bottom and side-to-side, feeling for play or a dry grinding sensation from the joint itself. Brake-related checks remain a priority given the dangerous-level pad readings in 2023. Even though the vehicle passed in 2024 and 2025, rear disc condition should be verified by jacking the rear and rotating each disc by hand, feeling for a pronounced lip at the outer edge or a stepped ridge that would indicate the discs have worn since the 2023 advisory. On the road, assess rear braking efficiency by performing several moderate stops from around 40mph, noting any pulling to one side, vibration through the pedal, or a grinding sensation that would suggest the rear calipers are binding or the discs are warped. Inspect the perished rear tyres carefully for any sidewall cracking that has deepened since the 2024 advisory, and check all four corners for uneven tread wear, which on a Mokka of this mileage commonly points to worn rear trailing arm bushes or front strut top mount deterioration, both worth examining visually and by feel on the test drive.