2017 Vauxhall Mokka 1.4L Petrol · RE67 CFM

The defining mechanical story for this 2017 Vauxhall Mokka is a pattern of recurring minor defects clustered around the front lighting, rear lighting, and a persistent low-level oil leak, rather than any single major structural or braking failure. Across five recorded test events there have been three failures, all of which were rectified on the same day and related to relatively simple items: a reversing lamp, a headlamp colour issue, and more recently a headlamp beam image fault alongside a non-functional rear position lamp and an engine management indicator. The latter failure is the most notable, as a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illumination can point to underlying emissions, sensor, or catalyst faults that may recur if not properly diagnosed. The most recent test on 5 November 2025 initially failed on the headlamp beam image but passed on the same date with two advisories logged, indicating that the vehicle was roadworthy at the time of test but is carrying known wear items. The 2024 entry initially failed on the engine MIL and a rear position lamp before passing the same day, reinforcing a pattern of same-day pass-after-fail entries that suggests minor electrical and lighting issues rather than deep structural problems. Recorded mileage of 73,200 over approximately nine years equates to an annual accumulation of around 8,100 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and is neither indicative of heavy commercial use nor extended periods of standing. The gap between the January 2023 test and the October 2021 tests is roughly fifteen months, and the gap between the February 2024 test and the November 2025 test is twenty-one months, both of which are consistent with normal MOT scheduling rather than the vehicle being laid up. There are no recorded anomalies such as sharply decreasing or increasing mileage between tests, so the usage profile appears steady. For a prospective buyer, this means wear on consumables like tyres, brake pads, brake discs, and suspension components should be commensurate with moderate rather than extreme use, and the advisory record broadly supports that level of accumulation. The advisories on file are concentrated in two areas worth close physical inspection: the braking system and the engine oil sealing. The November 2025 advisory noted an oil leak not deemed excessive, while earlier advisories in 2023 and 2021 flagged rear brake pads wearing thin and front brake discs worn, pitted, scored, and lipped on both sides. On a test drive, listen for any rotational scraping or grinding from the front wheels, feel for brake pedal pulsation under firm application indicative of disc runout from lipping, and check for excessive dark residue on the front wheels or lower engine sump area. The 2021 advisory also noted a nail in the offside front tyre, and the 2025 test recorded both rear tyres worn close to the legal limit and worn on the inner or outer edge, so inspect all four tyres for uneven shoulder wear, cracking of the sidewalls, and ensure the replacements fitted are of matching size and load rating. The lighting and electrical faults that have caused repeated failures warrant a focused check of the headlamp and rear lamp assemblies. On inspection, verify that both headlamps produce a clean, level beam pattern with no scatter or incorrect colour tint, as the 2021 and 2025 failures specifically flagged colour and beam image issues, and check all rear position, reversing, and number plate lamps for consistent illumination. Given the engine MIL failure in February 2024, it is sensible to ask for any diagnostic trouble codes to be read and cleared, and to confirm that the vehicle has not returned since. On a test drive, watch for any illuminated warning lamps on the dashboard, hesitation under acceleration, or excess smoke from the exhaust, any of which would warrant further investigation before purchase. A final visual check underneath the vehicle for fresh oil residue around the sump plug, cam cover, and oil filter housing would help establish whether the 2025 advisory leak is stable or worsening.