Overview

The Vauxhall Mokka X is the British brand’s take on the compact SUV, featuring a raised-up driving positon, chunky off-roader looks and the option of four-wheel drive. And if its Mokka predecessor (replaced in 2016 by the Mokka X) is anything to go by, it should sell rather well.

Keen pricing, strong standard equipment levels and usable levels of practicality are the Mokka X’s key selling points, but is it a good enough overall package to fend off serious competition from the Fiat 500X, Renault Captur and big-selling Nissan Juke?

Vauxhall Mokka X known faults and common problems

The Mokka X is a genuine secondhand bargain. Initial reliability wasn’t brilliant, but as time progressed Vauxhall got a grip on things. Check for those recalls and buy with your eyes open because the Mokka can be problematic if used and abused.

Top 10 problems

Buying guide – common issues, and what to look for if you’re looking at getting one.

1 – Noisy turbo

Early 2016 facelift 1.6 ‘Whisper diesel’ engines have been known for defective turbochargers to give up at low mileages. If you hear a whine like a blocked hoover on initial start-up, suspect the turbo is on its way out. If left to completely fail, it will destroy the engine.

2 – Stalling 1.7 diesel

Some 1.7 diesel engines were prone to stalling at low revs or when pulling away from rest. Vauxhall issued an in-service modification to re-map the ECU and most were fixed during routine services. If this trait is evident its more likely that it slipped the net.

3 – Stiff gear selection

There have been reports with manual gearbox failures on some models. If the car shows a difficulty in selecting third and/or fifth gear, or has an audible chattering noise when idling in neutral, it’s best to walk away.

4 – OnStar feature

Some Mokka X cars feature a clever device called OnStar offering a 24/7 concierge service via a UK call centre. Don’t let the salesperson get you too excited about its virtues: it’s offline now as the GM licence to operate expired.

5 – Paint and panels

Check carefully for botched repairs and poor paintwork. Many Mokkas were on rental fleets or Motability schemes and tended to be bashed about and unloved. Pay close attention to where the rear bumper meets the lamp units for poor shut lines.

6 – Noisy rear brakes

Some cars can suffer from noisy or grinding rear brakes. This seems to be noticeable when traveling in reverse too. Possibly a result of low mileages causing excessive corrosion to the rear faces of the brake discs.

7 – Underbody damage

Despite its Tonka-Toy styling, the 4x4 versions are not of Land Rover Defender ability off-road. Have a look to ensure there is no impact damage to the sills, floor pan, fuel tank and centre propshaft. Mud and silt build-up are known to cause the brake callipers to jam or stick causing excessive brake wear.

8 – Misfire on petrol engines

If the car has a random misfire when idling or coughs during acceleration with a flashing ECM lamp, this may be a defective coil pack. Seems to affect the 1.6-litre engine more than the 1.4, oddly.

9 – Factory recalls

The orignal Mokka built up to 2016 has been subjected to several recalls. Check what affected it and ensure they have all been attended to by the previous owners.

10 – DPF failure

Be wary of blocked up Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) especially on cars that primarily live in town. Make sure the warning lamp isn’t illuminated as it may be beyond the point of a high-speed run to clean it through naturally. Main dealer rectification can be costly.

Plenty of trim levels, all are well-equipped

It says a lot about the Mokka X’s equipment levels that the bestselling model is in base-spec . Here, customers are treated to a wide range of standard kit including Bluetooth phone connectivity, dual-zone climate control and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility.

Move up to Elite Nav trim and other goodies such as sat-nav, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front sports seats and tinted rear windows are also included.

Broad range of engines – not all worth having

Offering up three petrol motors and two diesels, the Mokka X gives customers a decent section of engines to choose from – although try to avoid the 1.6-litre petrol. It’s the cheapest engine in the range for a reason, delivering well below average performance and fuel economy, while also managing to produce the most CO2 emissions.

The wise money is on the big-selling 140hp 1.4-litre turbo petrol or one of the frugal diesels on offer. Most engines come with the option of four-wheel drive or a six-speed automatic gearbox – and in some cases both.

Useful, if not class-leading levels of practicality

The Mokka X manages reasonable levels of practicality, with a adequate-sized boot measuring up at 356 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,305 litres with them folded down.

Space for rear seat passengers is usable, with enough room to keep two adults happy in the back on long journeys. The middle seat, although reasonably spacious, is best reserved for children (or adults on a short journey).

• Find out how the Vauxhall Mokka X stacks up against the Kia Sportage and Suzuki S-Cross

Need to know more about the Mokka X? Read on for the full review.