2018 Vauxhall Mokka 1.4L Petrol · MA68 FML

A fractured rear coil spring recorded as a Major defect at the 2024 test, followed by the same vehicle returning a year later with no structural or suspension advisories, suggests the spring was replaced and the rest of the underpinnings remain serviceable, but the recurrence of nearside rear tyre cracking advisories across the 2025 and 2026 tests points to a chronic rubber degradation issue that warrants close scrutiny. The most recent examination on 4 August 2026 returned a Pass alongside an advisory for a slightly damaged and perishing nearside rear tyre, continuing a pattern of repeated notes on that corner. Across the recorded history there is one failure out of seven tests, and the broader advisory trail covers brake disc wear on both front corners, thinning rear brake pads, a fractured coil spring, tyre damage including a nail, headlight alignment, wiper blade defects, a coolant leak, and an insecure rear reflector, which together describe a vehicle that has needed incremental consumable attention rather than a systemic mechanical decline. With 52,637 miles recorded over roughly eight years, the annual accumulation works out at approximately 6,580 miles, which sits in the middle of expected usage for a 2018 Mokka. The testing cadence is consistent, with annual examinations recorded from 2021 through to 2026 and no multi-year gaps that would imply long periods of standing, so the wear pattern observed in the records should broadly reflect active use rather than deterioration from inactivity. That said, the mileage progression between tests, rising from the 2021 entry through to the 2026 reading, does not indicate any sudden jumps that would suggest an inconsistent or erratic usage profile, and the brakes and tyres are showing the kind of steady wear one would anticipate for a small SUV driven at this rate. The 2022 coolant leak advisory is worth treating as a residual concern, as coolant leaks can persist or recur depending on the source, whether a hose joint, the radiator, or the water pump area. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is a physical inspection of the rear suspension, particularly the nearside coil spring replacement carried out after the 2024 failure, to confirm that the spring seat, shock absorber, and surrounding bushes show no signs of corrosion or movement that could indicate an incomplete repair. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking over uneven road surfaces, which could suggest worn rear trailing arm or axle bushes, and pay attention to any bouncing after compression, as the original fracture may have been precipitated by weakened dampers. The front brake discs flagged as pitted or scored in 2023 and again in 2024 should be checked by feel for brake pedal judder under firm application, and the rear pads noted as wearing thin should be inspected directly or via a diagnostic read-out to confirm remaining friction material. The persistent nearside rear tyre cracking on both the 2025 and 2026 tests is unusual for a tyre replaced in normal rotation cycles, so it would be prudent to inspect the sidewall closely for ozone cracking and to verify the manufacturing date, as this can sometimes indicate age-hardened rubber rather than mileage-related wear. Finally, the 2022 coolant leak advisory should be traced by checking for fresh staining around the radiator, thermostat housing, and coolant expansion tank, as well as monitoring the level in the header tank before and after a sustained drive. The illuminated tyre pressure monitoring system lamp recorded in 2025 may indicate either a dead sensor or simply low pressures, but it should be confirmed as cleared on the dashboard before purchase. Given that the headlight adjuster was noted as altered in 2023, beam alignment should be verified against a flat surface to ensure both lamps are within tolerance, particularly for an MOT retest scenario. The remaining advisories, including the wiper blade defects and insecure reflector from 2021 and 2022, are minor items that would typically have been addressed and are unlikely to reappear. Overall, the mechanical record presents a vehicle with a known structural repair and a pattern of routine consumable wear, and a careful inspection of the rear suspension and tyre condition should form the backbone of any pre-purchase assessment.