Used car guide

2021 Vauxhall Mokka: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Vauxhall Mokkas, from 12,971 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

12,971MOT tests in 2025
83%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
6,700typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for wipers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Vauxhall Mokkas than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Wipers2.6× usual
    Vauxhall Mokka
    9.7% All 2021 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 2.4% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Ball joint10.3× usual
    Vauxhall Mokka
    6.2% All 2021 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Brake discs1.7× usual
    Vauxhall Mokka
    11.9% All 2021 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Link ball joint covers33× usual
    Vauxhall Mokka
    3.3% All 2021 cars
    0.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.1% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

By area

The share of 2021 Vauxhall Mokka MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    21% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    14% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    11% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Lights and electrics
    2% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20231,399Tyres 17%
202222,705Tyres 21%
201922,132Tyres 29%
201831,813Tyres 29%
201736,775Tyres 29%
201639,839Suspension 33%
201542,448Suspension 37%
201431,071Suspension 41%
201312,191Suspension 46%
2012754Suspension 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 Vauxhall Mokkas registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score