Opel Mokka A (2012-2019): known problems and buying guide

Built: 2012–2016
Median price: €8,000
Listings: 1,503
Running cost per month: €407–€465
Power: 115–140 PS (85–103 kW)
Reliability: 3/5
DIY: 2/5

Buy the 1.6 petrol or a 1.6 CDTI with service records. Check the 1.4 Turbo chain, cooling and pistons before paying.

Updated 27 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
1.4 LPG, 140 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€459	€8,445	514	LPG / Petrol	A14NET, B14NET	Manual (6)	2013–2016
1.4 Turbo, 140 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research	€465	€8,445	514	Petrol	A14NET, B14NET	Manual (6)	2012–2016
1.6 CDTI, 136 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€407	€7,950	251	Diesel	B16DTH / LVL	Manual (6)	2014–2016
1.6 CDTI, 136 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research	€420	€7,950	251	Diesel	B16DTH / LVL	Manual (6)	2014–2016
1.7 CDTI, 130 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€439	€6,799	216	Diesel	A17DTS	Manual (6)	2012–2015
1.7 CDTI, 130 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research	€452	€6,799	216	Diesel	A17DTS	Manual (6)	2012–2015
1.4 Turbo, 140 PS, 6-speed automatic Research	€464	€9,990	162	Petrol	A14NET, B14NET	Automatic (6)	2013–2016
1.6 ecoFlex, 115 PS, 5-speed manual	€465	€7,990	133	Petrol	B16XER / F16D4	Manual (5)	2012–2016
1.6 CDTI, 136 PS, 6-speed automatic Research	€433	€8,750	86	Diesel	B16DTH / LVL	Automatic (6)	2014–2016
1.7 CDTI, 130 PS, 6-speed automatic Research	€465	€7,499	81	Diesel	A17DTS	Automatic (6)	2012–2015

At a glance

Years: built 2012 to 2019. The 2016 facelift (Mokka X) brought a 152 PS 1.4 Turbo with direct injection. The 1.4 Turbo has the main risks: timing chain, pistons and coolant leaks.
Reliability: 3/5. The 1.4 Turbo has the serious faults. The 1.6 petrol has no fault confirmed in the sources read.
DIY: 2/5. The timing chain, the automatic gearbox and the 4x4 unit need a workshop.
Prefer: a 1.6 petrol, or a 1.6 CDTI with service records.
Avoid: a 1.4 Turbo with no record of timing chain, cooling or gearbox fluid work.

Engines and gearboxes

1.6 petrol, B16XER (ADAC: F16D4), 115 PS: no fault confirmed in the sources read.
1.4 Turbo, port injection, A14NET and B14NET, 120-140 PS: timing chain, pistons, coolant leaks and a pull-away hesitation. See the table.
1.4 Turbo, direct injection, B14XFT, 152 PS (facelift, automatic 4x4): the pull-away hesitation in the table. No other fault confirmed in the sources read.
1.7 CDTI, A17DTS, 130 PS (2012-2015): EGR valve fouling, see the table. ADAC calls it rough but robust.
1.6 CDTI, B16DTH, D16DTH and D16DTI, 110 and 136 PS: EGR valve and particulate filter faults, see the table.
5-speed manual (1.6 petrol): oil seal leaks are reported.
6-speed manual (M32): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
6-speed automatic (GM 6T40): shift jerks from wear, see the table. Change the fluid every 40,000-50,000 km.

Known issues

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
1.4 Turbo timing chain	1.4 Turbo (A14NET, B14NET)	About 100,000-150,000 km	No confirmed price
1.4 Turbo piston damage	1.4 Turbo (A14NET, B14NET)	50,000-150,000 km	No confirmed price
6T40 automatic shift problems	6-speed automatic (6T40)	150,000-180,000 km	No confirmed price
4x4 coupling and control unit	4x4 models	Not stated	No confirmed price
1.4 Turbo coolant leaks	1.4 Turbo (A14NET, B14NET)	70,000-80,000 km	No confirmed price
Diesel EGR valve and particulate filter	1.6 and 1.7 CDTI	100,000-150,000 km	No confirmed price
Oil loss	Most engines	Not stated	No confirmed price
1.4 Turbo pull-away hesitation	1.4 Turbo (A14NET, B14NET, B14XFT)	Not stated	No confirmed price

Before you buy

On a 1.4 Turbo, start the engine cold and listen. A rattle or clatter on start means a stretched timing chain. Gebrauchtwagenberater advises walking away if you hear it.
On a 1.4 Turbo, ask for service records and listen for knocking under load. Piston damage can start from about 50,000 km. Walk away if the engine knocks or loses power.
On a 6T40 automatic, drive from rest and through the gears. Jerks between 3rd and 6th mean a worn spring in the clutch pack. Ask for fluid change records every 40,000-50,000 km.
On a 4x4, check that the rear drive engages and that the dash shows no "Allradantrieb aus" message. Ask whether the 2013-2014 software update was done.
On a diesel, ask whether the car was used on longer trips. A scanner can read the EGR fault codes P0401 and P0402, and the particulate filter soot load (needs a scanner).
On a 1.4 Turbo, check the coolant level with the engine cold. Look for leaks at the expansion tank and water pump. Ask whether the thermostat or pump was replaced.
Check the oil level after the test drive and ask for oil service records. Oil loss is common on this car, and repairs are costly.
On a 1.4 Turbo, pull away from rest in first gear. A hesitation or stumble is the software fault in the table. Ask whether a software update was done.
Check the VIN for open recall campaigns with a Vauxhall or Opel dealer. The campaigns in the table may apply to your car.

Running costs

Operational	€190
Workshop	€130
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€136
Total per month	€456
New-car depreciation (not included)	€66

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings: 1,503
25th percentile: €6,950
Median price: €8,000
75th percentile: €9,500
Median mileage: 123,000 km
Median first registration: 2015
Dealer share: 77.3%
Price at 100,000 km: €9,025

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

1.4 Turbo timing chain

The timing chain stretches and rattles, mostly on a cold start. Gebrauchtwagenberater calls it the biggest weak point of the 1.4 turbo and says a stretched chain has already caused major engine damage. The noise grows from about 100,000 km (auto.ru). Zr.ru puts chain life at about 150,000 km.

A garage first checks the camshaft position and the crankcase ventilation vacuum. kfz-dietrich says the valve cover alone is often enough, not a full overhaul. Costs: no confirmed price.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, kfz-dietrich, auto.ru, Kolesa.ru

1.4 Turbo piston damage

Pistons break, mainly their ring lands and partitions. Detonation (uncontrolled fuel ignition) causes it. Poor fuel, high-rpm loads and dirty radiators make it worse. Auto.ru advises 98-octane fuel.

The damage needs a major overhaul of the engine. Auto.ru puts it at 50,000-150,000 km. The sources give no part numbers and no price.

Sources: auto.ru, zr.ru, Kolesa.ru

6T40 automatic shift problems

Gear changes jerk, mostly between 3rd and 6th. A worn spring in the friction pack causes it. Auto.ru puts serious problems at 150,000-180,000 km. Zr.ru gives the gearbox 150,000-200,000 km.

The major repairs are the torque converter and the valve body. A broken selector button can lock the gearbox in P. Change the fluid every 40,000-50,000 km (auto.ru). Zr.ru advises 40,000 km for city driving. Costs: no confirmed price.

Sources: auto.ru, zr.ru, Kolesa.ru

4x4 coupling and control unit

The rear drive can switch off, and the dash shows "Allradantrieb aus" (all-wheel drive off). A software fault caused a recall for 2013-2014 cars. The dealer update takes about 30 minutes and is free.

The coupling is a BorgWarner clutch unit. It overheats under long wheel spin (auto.ru, zr.ru). Its clutch can get dirty after 3-4 years and needs an overhaul (Kolesa.ru). The control unit under the floor takes in water and road salt. Clean its connectors once a year (auto.ru). Costs: no confirmed price.

Sources: ADAC, CarWiki, AUTO BILD, auto.ru

1.4 Turbo coolant leaks

Coolant drops slowly, and the reservoir needs topping up. The expansion tank cap valve can fail and crack the tank (auto.ru). The thermostat leaks (zr.ru). The water pump fails at about 70,000-80,000 km (auto.ru).

Gebrauchtwagenberater says the maker often covers coolant loss if the car was always serviced at a dealer. Costs: no confirmed price.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, auto.ru, zr.ru, Kolesa.ru

Diesel EGR valve and particulate filter

The EGR valve (exhaust gas recirculation) clogs with soot. The 1.6 CDTI shows rough idle, limp mode and the fault codes P0401 and P0402 (kfz-dietrich). Auto.ru puts EGR trouble on the 1.7 at 100,000-150,000 km. Clean the valve at each service (zr.ru). Replace it only if the diagnosis confirms a fault.

The particulate filter (DPF) clogs on short trips, because interrupted regenerations add soot (kfz-dietrich). Regular long journeys help. Injectors can also gather soot (Gebrauchtwagenberater). Costs: no confirmed price.

Sources: kfz-dietrich, auto.ru, RAC, Gebrauchtwagenberater

Oil loss

Oil loss is the fault the German sources name most. The ADAC page says it already shows on young cars. CarWiki says it is known from the fourth year, and severe loss can damage the engine. The TÜV report (firmenauto) raises oil loss across all model years.

On the 1.4 Turbo, a worn crankcase ventilation diaphragm in the valve cover is a common cause (kfz-dietrich). AUTO BILD says repairs are often costly, with no amount given. Check the level often and top it up. Costs: no confirmed price.

Sources: ADAC, AUTO BILD, CarWiki, firmenauto

1.4 Turbo pull-away hesitation

The car hesitates or stumbles when pulling away in first gear. RAC and Auto Express both name a software fault for the 1.4 Turbo. Auto Express names the Mokka X. The sources give no fix and no price.

Sources: RAC, Auto Express, Gebrauchtwagenberater

Recalls

Country	Code	Years	What is done
Germany	not given	2013-2014	The rear drive can switch off. Dealer software update, about 30 minutes, free.
Germany	not given	2016-2017 model years	Airbag module can have a faulty ignition charge. Module replaced, free.
Germany, UK	not given	Campaign 2013-2015, build years not stated	Front seat belt pretensioner can fail. Remedy not stated in the sources read.
Germany, UK	not given	Campaign 2015-2016, build years not stated	ABS wiring connectors and the ECU can take in water, risking a short circuit. Remedy not stated in the sources read.

Check open campaigns for your VIN with a Vauxhall or Opel dealer before you buy.

Maintenance

Automatic gearbox: change the 6T40 fluid every 40,000-50,000 km.
1.4 Turbo: change the engine oil every 7,000-10,000 km and the spark plugs every 30,000 km.
4x4 unit: service the rear coupling about every three years, and clean the control-unit connectors yearly.
Diesel: drive it on longer trips often enough for the particulate filter to clean itself.