2016 Vauxhall Mokka 1.4L Petrol · WF16 AAJ

The defining mechanical story of this 2016 Vauxhall Mokka centres on a front suspension concern that has surfaced over two consecutive test cycles, alongside a more recent tyre pressure monitoring system issue. In December 2023 the vehicle failed its MOT on a Major defect for an excessively worn offside front upper Macpherson strut pin or bush, with a corresponding advisory on the nearside unit indicating wear that had not yet progressed to a fail level. By the December 2024 test the suspension components were no longer flagged, and the November 2025 test produced a Pass with no advisories or defects of any kind, suggesting the prior wear items were addressed and have not reappeared in the recorded data. The latest entry on 21 November 2025 initially recorded a failure for a malfunctioning or inoperative nearside front tyre pressure monitoring system, but a Pass was also issued the same day, indicating the TPMS issue was rectified at the test location or immediately afterwards. The overall trend across the five tests recorded is therefore one of intermittent but addressable mechanical issues rather than a chronic deterioration, with the most recent outcome being a clean pass. With a recorded mileage of 43,443 miles across approximately ten years, this Mokka has covered around 4,344 miles annually, which is notably low for its age class. There are no significant gaps in the testing timeline, with MOTs recorded in 2023, 2024, and 2025, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for extended periods. Low annual mileage of this nature typically results in reduced wear on major drivetrain and engine components, but it can also accelerate degradation of certain parts such as brake discs through corrosion, rubber suspension bushes through prolonged static compression, and tyre sidewalls through age-hardening even when tread depth remains legal. The fact that an offside rear tyre was flagged in late 2024 as worn close to the legal limit at 2.4mm despite the low overall mileage is consistent with uneven or infrequent rotation patterns rather than high-distance wear. For a prospective buyer, the priority area to inspect is the front Macpherson strut top mounts and suspension pins, as these were the only structurally significant items raised in the MOT record. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, and during low-speed direction changes, which would indicate renewed wear in the strut pin or bush assemblies. Excessive vibration through the steering wheel on rougher surfaces, or any noticeable looseness when turning the wheel with the car stationary and the engine running, would also warrant further investigation of the front strut hardware. The nearside and offside front suspension turrets should be inspected for any corrosion or cracking around the strut mounting points, as this area can be vulnerable on vehicles of this age exposed to UK winter conditions. The tyre pressure monitoring system fault recorded at the 2025 test is a relatively common electronic issue on vehicles of this era and typically relates to a faulty wheel-mounted sensor, a depleted sensor battery, or a system that has not been re-calibrated after a wheel change or tyre rotation. During a physical inspection, verify that all four tyres are correctly inflated to the pressures specified on the door pillar sticker, and ask whether the TPMS warning light illuminates and extinguishes as expected during the bulb check at ignition. Given the advisory on the offside rear tyre in 2024, measure the remaining tread depth across all four tyres with a calibrated gauge, paying particular attention to inner and outer shoulder wear which can indicate misalignment or worn suspension geometry. Finally, with brake discs and pads susceptible to corrosion under low-mileage conditions, conduct a series of firm stops from around 30 mph and listen for any grinding, scoring noises, or pulsing through the brake pedal, which would suggest corroded or warped discs requiring attention.