2015 Vauxhall Mokka 1.6L Diesel · OY65 VUE

The vehicle passed its most recent MOT test on 16 January 2026 with no defects or advisories recorded, which is a positive immediate indicator. However, the broader maintenance trend warrants careful scrutiny, as this pass came only three days after a failure on 13 January 2026 during which five major defects were identified. Four of those majors were safety-critical mechanical issues: a fractured offside rear coil spring, excessive play in both front wheel bearings, and a perished lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover on the offside front. The fact that these items were rectified in time for the retest is reassuring, but the cluster of suspension and bearing failures suggests the front suspension is entering a period of accelerated wear. Looking further back, the August 2024 test showed multiple failures relating to lower suspension arm ball joints and a track rod end dust cover, with advisories also raised for tyre perishing on the rear axle. The recurrence of ball joint dust cover failures across two consecutive test cycles indicates a pattern of degraded front suspension components rather than isolated incidents, and a prospective buyer should treat the front end as a likely area of near-term expenditure. The recorded mileage of 95,430 over approximately eleven years equates to an annual average of around 8,675 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and segment. There are no dramatic gaps or unusually rapid accumulations in the recorded mileage between tests, indicating consistent usage rather than long periods of standing or motorway-heavy mileage. That said, at this mileage and age the Mokka is approaching the point where original-equipment clutches, dual mass flywheels (if applicable to the transmission fitted), timing chains or belts, and original turbochargers begin to demand closer attention depending on the specific engine variant. Equally, the consistent annual running suggests consumables such as brake discs, pads and tyres will have been replaced at reasonably regular intervals rather than suffering from prolonged standing-related degradation. A prospective buyer should prioritise a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension, given the repeated advisories relating to lower arm ball joints and the track rod end dust cover. On a test drive, listen carefully for any clonking or knocking noises from the front end when traversing speed bumps, potholes or uneven road surfaces, as these would indicate worn ball joints or droplink bushes. Steering should feel precise with no excess play, looseness, or vibration through the wheel, and the vehicle should track straight without pulling to either side. Inspect the rear coil spring area visually for any signs of the spring having bottomed out, and check both front wheels for any roughness, humming or droning noise that increases with speed, which would suggest the recently replaced wheel bearings have not been properly fitted or that adjacent components are worn. The track rod end should be checked for any play by rocking the wheel at nine and three o’clock, and the protective boots should be intact and free from splits or grease contamination. Beyond the items flagged on the MOT record, several age- and mileage-related checks remain essential. Tyre condition should be examined closely for sidewall cracking and perishing regardless of tread depth, as the 2024 advisories indicate the rubber compounds are beginning to degrade with age; check the production date code on the sidewall and replace any tyres older than six years. Inspect the brake discs for lipping, corrosion around the hat area, and check that the calipers are not seizing, particularly given that corrosion-related binding is common on vehicles of this age. Verify the 12 volt battery health, as a battery approaching the end of its service life is a frequent failure point on eleven-year-old cars. Confirm when the coolant, brake fluid and automatic transmission fluid (if applicable) were last replaced, bearing in mind these are time-based services rather than mileage-based. Finally, ensure the service book is fully stamped and cross-reference the work carried out with the rectification evidence for the recent MOT failures, so you can be confident the suspension and bearing repairs were completed professionally using quality replacement parts.