Small SUVs – they’re everywhere. And that’s because people use them to get everywhere, with a higher viewpoint into the bargain.
A small SUV has to be good at the school run, taking the family on holiday, getting into and out of town, and doing everything as cheaply as possible.
Cheaply – there’s the rub, because as cheap as a Mokka is to ruin, it can be even cheaper. ‘How?’, we hear you cry. By diagnosing any glitches yourself, then getting out the toolkit and sorting out the issues.
And it isn’t even that difficult, not when you have your trusty Haynes manual by your side. We’ve done all the investigation and spanner-twirling, so you can just follow the step-by-step procedures. Simples.
What recalls has the Vauxhall Mokka been subject to?
Dealers have become used to the sight of the Mokka (and facelifted Mokka X) in their premises over the years, but that’s not to say it’s a frequent subject of recalls.
One recall was quite serious because it involved a risk of fire. The problem was that water could get into the electronic brake control unit and cause a short circuit. It affected 2143 cars.
Then 7476 cars were recalled because the seatbelt pretensioners were found to be faulty, and therefore needed to be replaced.
A loose steering wheel bolt caused 102 cars to be recalled, because the steering wheel could come off.
And then 289 cars were recalled to have faulty front side airbags modules replaced.
What common problems does the Vauxhall Mokka Mk1 have?
The Vauxhall Mokka does tend to have a problem that means the air-conditioning system operates somewhat less than efficiently. A new air-con compressor is required.
Leaks of fluid from the area between the engine and gearbox on the Vauxhall Mokka are not unknown, either.
Rear brakes on the Vauxhall Mokka are not without issue either, because they can become seized against the brake caliper.
The rear end of the Mokka Mk1 can also develop a vibration problem, which is caused by a faulty rear caliper vibration damper.
And a metallic noise from the engine is going to cause more than a few heart flutters when it first appears. It’s the dual-mass flywheel at fault.
Is your Vauxhall Mokka air-conditioning on the blink?
Warm outside? That means it’s probably warm inside, so time to switch on the air-conditioning system in your Vauxhall Mokka. Except it… isn’t that cold. In fact, it’s positively tepid. Not good.
The problem is usually a faulty air-conditioning compressor, which can leak and let out the refrigerant, and the only solution is to replace the compressor itself.
Still, that shouldn’t be much of a hassle, because we’ve already done the hard work for you. All you need to do is follow each step of the procedure in your Haynes Mokka manual. Then you’ll be able to chill out soon enough.
Why is your Vauxhall Mokka leaking oil?
Your first-generation Vauxhall Mokka might suddenly end up with a puddle of oil under it, and it matters not whether it has a manual gearbox or automatic transmission.
This is what is commonly known as A Bad Thing, because your car is literally dropping your money onto the road surface.
The issue is poorly tapped holes for the flywheel/drive plate, and the fix is a little long-winded but still well within the scope of the home mechanic.
You need to remove the flywheel/driveplate, clean up everything you can see, then put it all back together with new bolts, remembering to apply thread-locking compound to the bolts. Good job the whole thing is covered in your Haynes Mokka manual then.
Are brake problems a Vauxhall Mokka thing?
If you suddenly notice that your Vauxhall Mokka isn’t feeling quite a perky as before, and there’s the odd hot smell emanating from the rear end, there’s a good chance that the rear brakes have seized.
You’ll need to safely raise each rear corner, remove the wheel, remove the calipers, then remove the caliper guides and clean and lubricate them thoroughly. After that, fit a new set of brake pads and you should be good to go.
This procedure is covered in full in the Haynes Mokka manual, so just study what to do and away you go.
Does your Vauxhall Mokka vibrate on the brakes?
So you’ve got the rear brakes on your Vauxhall Mokka Mk1 all sorted out and off you go. Except when it comes time to press the brake pedal and stop, you notice a vibration. Yikes. And to make matters worse, there’s a rumbling noise when you reverse the car.
The problem is that one of the rear brake caliper vibration dampers is faulty.
But all you need to do is dig out the spanners and look up the relevant chapter in your Haynes Mokka manual – it’s all there, so you can skip all those costly garage labour charges by sorting the issue yourself.
Does the Vauxhall Mokka have engine noise problems?
There you are, off out in your Vauxhall Mokka A. At first all is well, but after the engine is warmed up you notice a metallic ringing noise from somewhere under the bonnet. That can never be a good thing.
However, it isn’t the engine at fault, it’s the dual-mass flywheel, and the only option available is to change it for a new one. It’s a long job, but nothing a confident DIYer can’t accomplish at home, as long as you make sure you have the right tools, you study your Haynes Mokka manual in advance so you know what you’ll come up against, and your exercise care and patience. And the sense of satisfaction after you’ve done the job will be huge.
