2016 Vauxhall Mokka 1.6L Petrol · OA12 EES

The 1.6-litre petrol Mokka typically returns around 35-40 mpg in mixed use, giving a fuel bill of roughly £1,400-£1,700 per year at current UK pump prices for 7,000-8,000 miles of annual driving. Road tax sits in a reasonable band for this engine size, and insurance is generally modest as the Mokka sits in a relatively low insurance group for a crossover of its size. Servicing costs for the 1.6 petrol are mid-range, with annual maintenance likely to fall between £200 and £400 depending on whether interim or full services are required.

Realistically, total annual running costs for this vehicle are likely to land in the £1,800-£2,400 area once fuel, tax, insurance and maintenance are combined. The recent suspension failure and the recurrence of front-end advisories suggest the first 12 months of ownership may push maintenance costs towards the upper end of that range, particularly if both front suspension arms and both wheel bearings require attention. Buyers should ring-fence £400-£700 for short-term mechanical work beyond routine servicing on top of normal running costs.

Focus first on the front suspension and steering, as the MOT history flags three separate advisories or failures here across 2024 and 2025. With the car unloaded, get the front wheels off the ground and check for play in both front suspension arm ball joints, both track rod ends and both front wheel bearings — the near-side front suspension arm and near-side front wheel bearing have already failed, and the offside front track rod end was flagged in 2024. Jack each front wheel and rock it by hand at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock for bearing play, and use a pry bar on the suspension arms to confirm the ball joints are tight.

Inspect the near-side front outer CV boot for splits or grease loss, as the 2024 advisory noted severe deterioration and a deteriorated boot will fail the next MOT if not replaced. Check all tyres, including the near-side front which was worn close to the legal limit in 2022, and confirm the rear registration plate lamps illuminate on both elements. Beyond the MOT-linked items, listen for any timing chain rattle on cold start, check for oil leaks around the cam cover and sump, and verify the cooling system is in good order — these are the typical weak points for the 1.6 petrol unit. Finally, confirm the rear registration plate lamps work on both elements, as this was flagged as inoperative in 2024.