2021 Vauxhall Mokka electric: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 Vauxhall Mokka electric?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 Vauxhall Mokka electric than on all cars registered in 2021.

• Ball joint16.6× usual
  Vauxhall Mokka

  8.3% All 2021 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, 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.

• Wipers2× usual
  Vauxhall Mokka

  6.9% All 2021 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2.2% 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.

• Link ball joint covers23× usual
  Vauxhall Mokka

  2.3% All 2021 cars

  0.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, 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.

Common 2021 Vauxhall Mokka electric MOT failures and advisories

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

• Tyres
  22% 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.

• Suspension
  12% 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
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Brakes
  7% 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.

• 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.

Known faults on the 2021 Vauxhall Mokka electric

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Fuel leak recall (fire risk)

  2022-2023 model years

  Vauxhall recalled some cars because a fuel pipe in the engine bay could leak and start a fire. What Car? lists the affected cars as 2022 and 2023 model years, and Auto Express dates the recall to April 2023.

  At the viewing: Give the VIN to a Vauxhall dealer or use the DVSA recall checker to confirm the work has been done. Sniff for fuel in the engine bay.

  Source: What Car?: used Vauxhall Mokka 2021-present reliability

• Suspension recalls and early wear

  All versions; recalls on 2021-2022 cars

  Some early cars were recalled because suspension parts were loose (June 2021) or the front springs weren't seated properly. More suspension recalls followed in February 2022. Dampers and ball joints can also wear out early on petrol, diesel and electric versions alike.

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over bumps, check the tyres for uneven wear, and look at recent MOT advisories for suspension.

  Source: Auto Express: used Vauxhall Mokka Mk2 (2021-date) buyer's guide

• Mokka-e central locking faults

  Mokka-e (electric) only

  The locking on the electric Mokka-e can fail. Possible causes include a worn key fob, a weak 12V battery, a software bug or a blown fuse. The Mokka-e also had two software recalls, in May 2023 and January 2024.

  At the viewing: Lock and unlock the car several times with each key, and ask the seller to show you the manual override on the passenger side.

  Source: Auto Express: used Vauxhall Mokka Mk2 (2021-date) buyer's guide

• Wiper recall (2021 cars)

  2021 model year

  Over 2,000 cars, all 2021 model year, were recalled because the windscreen wipers might not work properly in cold weather.

  At the viewing: Run the wipers at all speeds and confirm the recall has been done.

  Source: What Car?: used Vauxhall Mokka 2021-present reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Vauxhall Mokka electric

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the fuel pipe recall been done, and do you have proof?
2. Have the suspension recalls been carried out?
3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 16.6× as often on the 2021 Vauxhall Mokka electric as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2021 Vauxhall Mokka electric as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 23× as often on the 2021 Vauxhall Mokka electric as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?