Vauxhall Mokka Review (2012-2019)

What is the Vauxhall Mokka?

The Mokka was Vauxhall’s first attempt at netting itself a slice of the burgeoning compact SUV and crossover market. Unveiled in 2012, it was designed to sit above the Corsa and take on popular competitors such as the Nissan Juke, the Renault Captur, the MINI Countryman, and the Skoda Yeti. As the years passed, newer rivals such as the Peugeot 2008, the SEAT Ateca, and the Suzuki Vitara would also enter the fray, while Vauxhall bolstered its SUV range with the larger Crossland X and Grandland X.

Tough competition, no doubt, but the Mokka had some things going for it. Its initial starting price was just £15,995, it had lots of standard equipment and a series of petrol and diesel engines, the latter of which could be had in conjunction with an automatic transmission. Buyers could also choose front- or four-wheel drive.

How practical is it?

As small SUVs go, the Mokka is spacious, thanks in part to its height – it’s a good bit taller than the Corsa supermini on which it’s based. It also has more room than you’d find inside, say, a first-generation Nissan Juke. Taller adults might find legroom on the tight side, but again, there’s a decent amount of space in the back by the standards of the class.

The boot can swallow 360 litres of luggage, which is good for a smaller SUV and, again, more than you can fit in the cargo area of a Nissan Juke. That being said, some more modern rivals offer more boot space – the Ford Puma holds 456 litres of stuff, for example

What's it like to drive?

The driving experience is the Mokka’s biggest failing. Its steering is practically devoid of information or feedback other than the basic direction of travel, the ride is really quite bumpy, and the early diesel engines are noisy and strained – and so best avoided.

This lack of dynamic polish, coupled with its humdrum interior and near-total absence of character, meant it was easily outshone as a new car. However, it’s a much better prospect second-hand, because lofty depreciation means a mk1 Mokka is often significantly cheaper than the competition.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

The initial line-up comprised S, Exclusiv, and SE trim levels. The Mokka's interior wasn’t as neatly executed as alternatives such as the Skoda Yeti, but the kit levels did go some way to compensate for that, because even the entry-level S model came with the likes of air conditioning, cruise control, a trip computer, and daytime running lights.

A well-equipped Tech Line diesel variant, aimed at company car drivers, was also offered early in the Mokka’s history, while the later Mokka X dramatically boosted equipment levels. You can read a little more on that below, in the 'Three Things to Know' section of this review.

Vauxhall Mokka running costs

A Vauxhall Mokka will not prove expensive to run, thanks in part to decent fuel economy and sensible servicing costs. Most of the first-generation cars will now have been through the worst of their depreciation, which will further help keep costs down.

There are some factors worth considering outside of depreciation, though. Road tax, for example, can vary significantly between the engine options and model years, so check what you’re getting an exactly how much it will cost. The ecoFLEX diesels have the lowest CO2 levels, so those are the ones to go for if low VED costs are vital.

The diesels are also the best in terms of outright economy. The 1.6-litre CDTi ecoFLEX front-wheel drive Mokka X has an official fuel economy figure of 72.4mpg, but don’t expect that in the real world. Most diesel versions of the Mokka should return north of 50mpg, while the heavier 4x4 and automatic models are a little thirstier. The petrols aren’t grossly inefficient, but stick to the manual front-wheel drive models to keep mpg figures up.

Servicing won’t break the bank, because all models have a one-year, 20,000-mile service interval. Some models do have a timing belt – the 1.7-litre diesel and the basic 1.6-litre petrol – which will bump up your annual servicing costs. Also watch out for models with larger wheels, because their bigger tyres are more expensive to replace.

All-wheel drive might seem a worthwhile option but, as is often the case, there are downsides. An all-wheel drive Vauxhall will be heavier, more complicated, and less efficient. A front-wheel-drive Mokka, on winter or all-season tyres, will also perform better in poor conditions than an all-wheel drive Mokka on summer tyres. If you’re regularly tackling more challenging conditions and routes, however, there’s some justification for the all-wheel drive model.

Vauxhall Mokka reliability

When Vauxhall introduced the Mokka, it came with a ‘lifetime’ warranty that was valid up to a maximum of 100,000 miles – for the first owner. It also came with 12 months’ roadside assistance and a six-year anti-corrosion warranty. In January 2015, the scheme was replaced by a more conventional three-year, 60,000-mile warranty.

Extended warranties were available, but plenty of competitors out there offering longer warranties, used equivalents of which may still have some original cover. Toyota, Kia, and Hyundai are the best examples.

Vauxhall doesn’t have an outstanding reputation for reliability or customer satisfaction, but most Mokkas appear relatively trouble-free. Nevertheless, you may want to consider an aftermarket warranty to minimise the chance of unforeseen bills. There have been a few recalls, so enter the details of any potential purchase on the government recall and faults website.

Most Vauxhall Mokkas will have probably spent their life around town, instead of tackling country trails, so you will need to make sure the clutch is okay in manual versions, that the oft-overlooked transmission fluid isn’t burned in automatics, and that the body isn’t coated with car park-related scrapes and dents. Find one that’s been looked after and serviced regularly, and it should stand you in good stead.