2014 Vauxhall Mokka 1.4L Petrol · EO64 DYA

Fluid seepage and front-end wear define this Mokka's recent record, with the December 2024 test exposing a cluster of issues: a major failure for a split offside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover, a major failure for an exhaust leak likely to affect emissions, and advisories for thinning rear brake pads, an engine oil leak, and a coolant leak. That test was failed and then passed the same day, indicating rectification work was carried out promptly. The following year brought another same-day fail-then-pass, this time for incorrect headlamp aim on both sides, with the 10 December 2025 pass recording no defects at all. Earlier history from 2020 through 2023 was entirely clean apart from nails reported in two tyres in 2021, so the overall trend is one of a previously unblemished record that developed age-related wear items in late 2024, all of which appear to have been addressed, though the oil and coolant seepage advisories warrant ongoing scrutiny since such leaks are often monitored rather than fully cured. At 85,421 miles after roughly twelve years, the car has averaged about 7,100 miles annually, a typical accumulation for its age with no testing gaps and no evidence of extended lay-up. This steady, moderate use is consistent with the wear pattern observed: suspension ball joint dust covers perish with age regardless of mileage, and brake pad wear at this odometer reading is unremarkable. There are no dramatic mileage jumps or suspicious plateaus in the record, so the odometer history appears coherent and the mechanical findings align plausibly with a normally used twelve-year-old vehicle. On a test drive, pay particular attention to the front suspension given the 2024 ball joint dust cover failure. Listen for knocking or clonking over uneven surfaces and speed bumps, which would suggest further wear in the suspension arms, drop links, or bushes, and check for any steering vagueness or pull under braking. Confirm the replacement joint or arm was fitted by asking for invoices, and inspect the gaiter on both sides for fresh splits, since a torn cover quickly admits grit and destroys the joint. The fluid leaks deserve equal attention: examine the engine bay and the ground beneath the car after it has been parked for evidence of oil weeping, and check the coolant level in the expansion tank against the minimum mark, looking for pink or coloured residue around hose joints, the radiator, and the water pump area. During the drive, watch the temperature gauge for any creep above normal and check the heater blows hot, as unexplained coolant loss can escalate into head gasket territory. Verify the rear brake pads were renewed after the 2024 advisory by feeling for even, progressive pedal response without judder, and confirm the exhaust repair by listening for blowing or rasping on a cold start. Finally, check both headlamps produce an even, correctly aimed beam against a wall at night, since aim faults on both sides in 2025 could indicate adjuster motor or mounting issues rather than simple misalignment.