The Vauxhall Mokka: In Defence Of The Worst Car in Britain

[@deaks25]

A nice little tribute to an obviously dear relative. I never hated the Mokka, the rear is very cramped and dark but to be honest it’s just an inoffensive generic small family transport, much like the Astra, Primera, Escort, Sunny etc. My hatred is reserved for wilfully bad cars whose manufacturers really should know better.

[@anastassiosperakis2869]

I never knew it existed, if I did, I would hate it with a passion. This fugly pig is an identical twin to the Chevy Trax and the Buick Encore (really, Encore? Please not!) sold in the US market.

[@stan_austin]

Wilfully bad cars like the Nissan Juke….

[@xkimopye]

You’re right about it being cramped, I had to sit in the back of one of these with 2 other grown men, I should have walked. Bring back station wagons.

[@superthierry1]

We used to have a fleet of them at Eurodollor. Brilliant handling machines especially in the GT guise with the sr20 engine. NISSAN at it's peak 😎@richardharrold9736

[@DutchEdgar]

A lot of people seem to be lamenting how crossovers have replaced most hatchbacks and saloons on the roads but that job was already done by MPVs. If anything crossovers have replaced MPVs as the family friendly vehicle of choice.

[@SPC22]

Just wanted to say, I'm so sorry for your loss James...I too have recently lost a beloved family member, and understand just how you feel...

[@ThunderChunky101]

RIP Nan. My wife came home with one of these awful cars when I was working night shifts. What a lovely surprise! Thanks for consulting me... Brilliant... The body roll completely negates the good steering. I hate the thing in every single way.

[@FatHead1979]

The total lack of front end grip also negates any positive feeling from the steering

[@FatHead1979]

@richardharrold9736 Not sure TBH, all I know is it was THE most understeery car I've ever driven.

[@adamholmes91]

@@FatHead1979 You should try driving a Smart FourTwo then 🤣

[@WhiteDieselShed]

@richardharrold9736 Poaching one of the Ford suspension designers will fix it. Or is it cost cutting? Designer says we need this setup to handle and for grip and they say cheaper... cheaper.... We can cut 5% and it grips 20% worse.. OK but CHEAPER!!! Who needs front end grip anyway? Maybe why I buy Ford because they handle and I can chuck it around and know when the front is going to let go.

[@xkimopye]

I will never in a million years understand a husband or wife coming home with a new car without the other not knowing about it. That is mind bending to me.

[@6770connor]

As someone who has worked with Vauxhall for 9 years I can say that the Mokka was very popular with our Motability and older customers that needed something higher up that would aid entry and exit without popping a hip but also not too big that they would struggle to park. With the deals at the time of sale did make it attractive to that type of buyer. Also to note - that chrome trim is prone to cracking and shrivelling up, almost every first gen Mokka I get in has this issue.

[@Ayanami_channel]

I’ve seen it happen to other GM Korea products of the era, the Cruze comes to mind. I knew a Cruze owner, his door handle’s chrome trim peeled off. It’s a fairly rigid foil so can be sharp! Terrible engineering honestly

[@FatHead1979]

@@Ayanami_channel 'Cheap' would be a better description for that particular engineering decision.

[@TheAllEngineering]

Nothing any good came out of the Daewoo factory, GM paid a pittance to buy Daewoo, but ultimately producing cheap poorly engineered cars took its toll. The prices GM charged for these cheap as chips to manufacture cars is criminal.

[@colinjones2505]

I regulary fix the chrome peeling problem for my local Vauxhall dealer.....shiny black though, not chrome. Weird they way it shrivels up, more so on the left hand side too.

[@DutchEdgar]

Also popular with families. As are crossovers in general. They basically replaced MPVs for that purpose after all

[@julianevans9548]

Bigger on the outside, yet smaller on the inside. More expensive. You've been duped by advertising if you buy a crossover. (And that's true even for those who don't care how something drives.)

[@tob564]

You don't get it, people want to "sit high". My wife is like that. She tries to come up with other justifications for liking SUVs and crossovers, for example saying they are "more comfortable to drive and travel in", but the real reason is the fact that she like to sit higher up. She has admitted it a few times, as well.

[@julianevans9548]

@@tob564 Oh, I agree entirely. People's egos like to be above others - it makes one feel (subconsciously) more important. People don't admit this because it seems silly.

[@julianevans9548]

@@tob564 But also, people think 'big' is better, and they care what others think above and beyond anything else, so they buy a car that's big on the outside.

[@julianevans9548]

Cue all the people say 'It's easier for the infirm to get in and out of'. So, why does everyone with kids have one? 'I need a big car for the children' - yes, children, those notoriously big people.

[@tob564]

@@julianevans9548 A properly sized wagon is the perfect car regular families, unless there is a need for a third row. Wagons are cheaper, more economical, better to drive, have more room, and are (in my opinion) generally better looking. Just as an example, I'd take an Audi A6 wagon in a heartbeat before a Q5. I know for a fact my wife would disagree, and I do believe I am in the minority in general.

[@neil11storey]

Had one as a hire car- drove 4 adults from Alicante to Granada in heavy snow for part of the journey. It was great. Held the road well. Steering gave confidence in snow and ice. No poke going up hill, but was only 1.4 petrol I think with 4 people and luggage. Thank for a great review and reminder of fond memories .

[@jakublulek3261]

Amazing story, Jay, your nan must had been quite a character. Mine bought her Morris Isis Traveller in 1960 (because Minor Traveller wasn't powerful enough for her) and used it as her only vehicle until 2015 when she lost most of her eyesight. She refused to ever buy another car, and she kept and upgraded her beloved morris all these years, with multiple generations of german shepherds, kids, grandkids and great-grandkids sharing and rotating through her back seats. Nan passed away in 2019 and there was quite a battle over her car, because so many people in our family had so many fond memories of it.

[@welshskies]

The Mud plugging Mokka is PERFECT FOR RURAL WALES! There are loads of them because we need something narrow, with good ground clearance, raised driving position, reliable, cheap, easy to maintain, economical and you don't have to drive forty miles to the nearest car dealer. Stick on mud/snow tyres, fit rubber mats, a boot liner for the sheep dog, carry a shovel in the back, it's perfect.

[@shand1967]

I have a Mokka 1.4 Turbo 4x4 that I bought 4 years ago. I got it as I needed a car quickly as I wrote my previous car off. I had no expectations but I needed a family car to get me from A to B. And do you know what, I blooming love it. It's dependable comfortable and practical. I must be getting old. The same people who knock Mokka's never chirp up about the Ford Ecosport. A truly terrible car.

[@michaeljames1468]

​@stemartin6671 I think their god awful. I don't understand why anyone would choose one over the Astra J. Less practical, less economical, doesn't handle any near as good and more expensive. For the love of god, buy an Astra I guarantee it'll be better in all areas. That said, I understand what you say the Ford EcoSport thar worse, however even that isn't in same keague of awfulness as another Opel/Vauxhall line. Drum roll for the Crossland X.

[@shand1967]

@@michaeljames1468 Funnily enough the car I previously wrote off was an Astra J. You are right it is a way better handling car but for space, my kids in the back reckon the Mokka better.

[@anastassiosperakis2869]

First of, breadvans are not real cars.

[@FatHead1979]

@@michaeljames1468 Isn't that really a Peugeot underneath (not that that's much of an improvement TBH)

[@khalidacosta7133]

ecosport was made for the BRICS market... hence why the comically small wheels and high suspension. Plus the general nastiness.

[@emvlogzz5307]

My dad had a 68 plate mokka x for about a month when his car was being repaired after being involved in a small accident. This was about 4 years ago so I don’t remember everything about how the car drove but I remember that I was really impressed on how the car looked and drove. In fact I was really upset to see the car go. I do think that the mokka is an underrated car that doesn’t deserve the amount of criticism it gets. I really enjoyed this video! 🙂

[@DutchEdgar]

Couldn't agree more. Looks and drives great. The 1.6 CDTI is also incredible for MPG.

[@emvlogzz5307]

@@DutchEdgar yes they can get excellent Mpg’s when driven gently enough, I’ve got an Astra k 1.6 cdti. I had mine doing 79 mpg for a short period of time. I’ve got a focus 1.5 TDCI and the same is to be said with them. Really reliable, got great power, smooth and very economical!

[@adrianflower3230]

I am sorry for your loss, James. My condolences to you and your family. Thank you for paying tribute in this way.

[@MichaelHanna-c5i]

I have to say I don't care either way about the car, but what a cracking video! You had me all the way through, I was interested and engaged. You clearly held your Nan in regard, which is a lovely thing. Well done.

[@chartreux1532]

Here in Germany these are pretty popular as the Opel Mokka, mostly among middle-aged to older People, i always see them having Boxes of Beer loaded into the Back at the "Getränkemarkt" (Weird thing in Germany where there is a seperate big Building which is mostly full of Beer but also all the other Drinks in big Cases). Is there any Difference between the Vauxhall and the Opel Version? Besides the Badge and of course the Drivers Side. Prost & Cheers from Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps

[@shand1967]

The suspension and steering is set up for British roads, otherwise they are identical.

[@ChatterboxFM]

It’s so funny that you mention middle-aged and older people. It the United States it’s sold as a Buick and the exact same people buy them!

[@nlpnt]

Literally only the badge, there are right-hand-drive Opels sold in Ireland.

[@Stanley88845]

Basically, all the Vauxhall counterparts tend to have had their chassis tuned to better suit British roads.

[@taidee]

@@nlpnt Those Opels are also sold here in South Africa. People seem to really like these cars 🤣

[@AdamLeask]

They were branded as the Holden Trax here. Loved the description of Nan, she was clearly a character and loved the photos at the end! Sorry for your loss James.

[@jfpk114]

I rented one of these for a week in Ibiza and loved it. It came with half a tank of diesel and it went back with half a tank. I honestly thought the needle was broken. Great little car, lots of fun driving it.

[@TheSgtsMess]

My wife has one of these, she absolutely loves it. She bought it brand new on a 19 plate. If you are a petrol head this is not even on your radar, for the rest of of us…

[@rupertorgan7749]

This video made me laugh. The interaction with your grandmother reminds me of a day out I had with my stepmother ten years ago, touring the used car lots of Glasgow. She'd just destroyed the clutch on my late father's Peugeot 307, so I suggested it might be a good idea to buy an automatic. She wanted something a bit taller to make it easier to get out of and it had to be a diesel, because that's what my father always had, despite doing only 3,000 miles/year. So, we took a look at a Mokka, a Pug 2008, but she didn't like the 'look' of them. Then she saw a Renault Captur dci with DSG auto and that appealed to her eye for design. It was a 12 month old ex-Renault management car that fitted her budget and the deal was done for cash. Even now, she still doesn't understand the automatic wipers, headlights, or how to demist the windscreen and I'm sure she scares the cr** out of the locals when she drives through the village. She's now in her 89th year and shows no sign of giving up driving. By the way she had an identical replacement tyre stunt pulled on her by the servicing dealer a few years ago.

[@jumpferjoy1st]

Sorry worst car is the Nissan Cashcow, followed by the Nissan Puke. There can be no argument to that. The Cashcow has the affection of a common kitchen spoon. The Puke is best viewed in total darkness.

[@karsnoordhuis4351]

Really? Id place them the other way round... I still cannot fathom how one would walk into a dealership and go "yes, thats a good looking car"

[@georgegently3026]

I've got a cashcow! I love it. 4x4, full leather, heated windscreen, pan roof. 55mpg, plus, they are dirty cheap on parts and no one will ever nick it 😂 by the way, I have no interest in cars as such. Just want reliability and good mpg and cheap parts as I work on them myself. My other car is a 1942 ww2 jeep, so slightly different 😂

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

@@georgegently3026Great, just as long as you don’t want to carry anything in it or park in a reasonable sized space…. my sister / brother in law have one with the extra-squinty restyling and oversized wheels that burst the rubber band tyres on kerbs and leave you stuck in London until someone brings and fits a new tyre… They do like it for motorway trips to Cornwall, great for those country lanes ! The Juke is an utter abomination but the buyers have spoken….

[@WhiteDieselShed]

Nissan Puke 1st... Stupid car.. Sold as a MPV/SUV to unwary buyers. I belong to a caravan forum and we got endless questions about how it will tow their caravan. Answer for the first cars released were its not going to tow your caravan at all. What you thought you were getting was a Range Rover equivalent and what you bought was a tiny Nissan Micra with big wheels.

[@Ro32da72]

As the owner of a 2011 Cashcow, I agree with this statement 😂🤣 - a soulless anti-tardis of a car with a useless boot.

[@bengillman499]

My partner had one and we were initially very pleased with it . The best thing about it was the commanding driving position dispite it being a relatively smaller car. We only upgraded as it wasn't big enough for the family. Would recommend to people who want a high car for a budget price

[@bengillman499]

@jemimallah2591 sound ar kid

[@robhargraves3805]

I had a 2015 SE 1.6 diesel 4x4 in orange as a company car. I really liked it, very comfortable leather seats and used it to go off road a lot. It did very well, I even towed my caravan with it. The engine had the very common timing chain rattle for ages despite servicing as required. Unfortunately I think 20000 mile oil change was too long and that didn’t help the timing chain. Someone must have had it repaired as it’s still on the road somewhere.

[@92c900t]

20K miles? That's insane. Even 20K Kilometers is insane. Lots of modern cars naturally use oil due to the light 0 and 5 weight oils being too light (for fuel efficiency).

[@robhargraves3805]

@@92c900t Yes I agree, but that’s what the manufacturer’s service interval was ( in the UK). Can still check the oil level in between, it never really used much oil, maybe required occasional top up.

[@SavedbyHim]

I recently bought a Mokka for the wife. The Mokka is unique in the sense that there are very few cars that offer an elevated driving position for loading the kids, 6 airbags, decent boot space, great fuel economy and compact size. The only other cars are the Peugoet 2008 which is too expensive and the Ford EcoSport which is too small and the door for the boot opens sideways which is a dealbreaker for me.

[@ChrisFEJackson]

I think you needed to get the beloved charms of your grandmother off of your chest, she was only doing her job, bless her. So glad you reviewed as you did. A time when a manufacturer produced a car that could tick many boxes. I think it was fair presentation, not one obviously for petrol heads, but I bet if they were offered one cheap, they would take it! I did all the married with two young kids cars for years, which I had to sacrifice elements of what I would rather had due to a limited budget etc etc. Today though is a different story altogether. So top marks Jay, a great listen as usual. Not the first time I've been interrupted by someone trimming their bush!

[@jonv8live]

I use mine as a tuition vehicle, it’s currently on 120k (1.7 Exclusiv) and has had 85k miles of daily learner abuse, never put a foot wrong. Very comfortable and easy to drive. Certainly not my first choice of car at all, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I hated it at first, my wife bought it as she was one of those who got sucked into the 0% finance rubbish and crossover looks. I’ve since taken it on and it’s been brilliant. Sorry for your loss though James, your nan sounded like a character!

[@grahambarnes7325]

Thanks I enjoyed that, My dad bought a 1964 Vauxhall Victor 3 speed & then towed a caravan with it. So i kind of understand illogical choices of Vehicles. The victor was very relable and the clutch never gave up. I loved hearing about your grandmother

[@geoffrey6557]

Great review. I had a mark 2 meriva with the same diesel engine. Perfectly adequate as a daily driver even did a European road trip to Bologna and back without a problem.

[@ChrisFEJackson]

Same engine in a Meriva, must have been quite a zippy thing!!

[@heiner71]

Crafty grandmother. Respect! I have done things like driving without brakes in my youth too.

[@rhspek]

I like this kind of content, on fairly ordinary cars, more than any super car review. Closer to my heart/wallet.

[@DutchEdgar]

Yes ditto. And he doesn't need to be apologetic to the "petrolheads" either. Cars are for more than just showing off.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@DutchEdgar But does such an ordinary car really need a 'review' ? It's a cheap, basic, ugly, slab of nothingness, it doesn't handle very well, it's slow, and the only people who are going to buy one are those who really could not give a shit about cars, and just want anything to get them from A to B. It's like buying a no-name Telly from Aldi, you know it's guaranteed for a year the same as most other brands, and you know it will basically do the same thing, it might look a bit crap, and not have the features of a better brand, but it was cheap and you just want something to watch telly on. You wouldn't spend weeks reading owners reviews about it, because they are pointless, you know it's going to be lacking in every area, and you don't care, you just want something which works. This is the same thing. To say that 'cars are for more than just showing off' is a bit sad really. Yes a very small minority buys an expensive car to 'show off', but they are less than 5% of all car buyers. Many people actually love buying a car for it's handling, or performance, it's not about showing off to anyone else, it's about going out on a Sunday morning on an empty road with nobody else around, to enjoy the driving by yourself. If you don't understand that 'love' for driving, then fair enough, but don't automatically think anyone who buys a slightly nicer car than this heap of shit, wants to 'show off' ffs, grow up man.

[@DutchEdgar]

@@DjNikGnashers Sorry if I hit a nerve fella. Did I say that there was anything wrong with showing off? I just said that this isn’t a car to do it in, and nor should it be. It was made with a different (more practical) function in mind, as are most cars. It’s no worse than most of those cars, probably better than most. Like many here (the reviewer included) I actually think it handles quite nicely, it’s a fun drive. And "slow"? 0-60 in just under 10 seconds (for a 1.6 CDTI) is easily enough acceleration for most and if you are driving faster than 120 mph on our roads “on a Sunday morning” you probably shouldn’t have a licence. If all you need to satisfy your driving needs is something "fast" then do us all a favour and take up track racing and leave the roads to those of us whose lives require more versatile options.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@DutchEdgar Your comment came across clearly. You may as well have just said 'people who buy expensive cars are only showing off' because that is how it read. Maybe English isn't your first language, and for that I can completely understand your mistake. The Mokka does not, and never will 'handle quite nicely', unless you are comparing it to a 1985 Land Rover Defender. I drove plenty of them when I worked in the motor trade, and they are about as far away from handling 'quite nicely' as you can get. 60 in 10 seconds these days is a lifetime. There is nothing wrong with slow, ugly, cheap, boring cars, AS I SAID IN MY COMMENT, the majority of buyers are not interested in sportiness, and just want something shit for basic A to B transport, nothing wrong with that, my point was, is there any need to review something like that. It's going to be no better or worse than any other cheap, boring, ugly, slow, shitbox from Ford, Peugeot, Renault, Fiat, etc... And you are wrong for the 4th time, top speed doesn't equal driving pleasure on a Sunday morning for me, it's all about acceleration, cornering, and braking on twisty, undulating, narrow country roads, where I can have great fun at well under the speed limit. So take your bullshit prejudice opinion of me and stick it right up your arse.

[@ML-qk1px]

To be honest, I quite like the styling, probably something to be expected from a mark 1 Zafira owner. It’s also a good size and easy to get in and out of for a certain generation. The same people who also like the Kia Venga and Hyundai ix20, and the Honda Jazz. There is also a strong following still for Vauxhall, although I feel that’s now starting to wain.

[@jo05dk]

I've never had a strong opinion on the Mokka either way. It was just a small SUV-like consumer product to me. The step above the electrical appliances we now have to deal with, because they come with a few versions of an ICE. ..but i'm delighted to hear that joy can be found in driving it. A decent car is a decent car, no matter who made it and in which shape it comes. The stories of your Nan was enjoyed, and in essence absolutely recognized from my own life/with my nan who passed last year too, at age 101. The pictures in the end: Besides the lovely photo at the very end, made me smile. I can certainly understand that she didn't love the first two 😄 As written when you sort of didn't announce that she had passed away: Sorry for your loss James.

[@madmanentertainment5592]

i remember working in the back street garages, it was always owned by people living on council estates often mobility cars always small engines and most owners didn’t want to pay for headlight bulbs, i didn’t mind them at first but when driving a couple, i really liked them, dash layout was a mess but they for me at least were comfortable, had a nice ride, smooth steering and looked nice in my opinion, still like them now despite that alot of them now fall apart due to how they been treated. they never set out to be anything different they were just a honest car, another reason why i like them.

[@ICalverz]

Don’t be mocking my mokka!

[@careyroberts3924]

I had a 1.4T petrol for a month or so on hire whilst company car was in dry dock and I liked it a lot. Far nippier than I had expected and great views over the walls and hedges due to seating position being markedly higher than most saloons/hatchbacks. Handled perfectly adequately at normal speeds but was unstable if pushed too hard.......

[@northwesttiger2060]

I have a 4x4 diesel mokka as my daily driver at the minute. I love it my friends and i are petrol heads and take 5he mick out of it however i really like it. Its indearing amd the part time AWD in the snow worked a treat to get round people who had been stuck

[@Holdeenio]

RIP Nan. Now I understand why this car was in the background of a few of your other videos, glad you're giving it a good life!

[@mmrahman82]

Your grandma sounds like a complete legend, living her life the she wanted....also blaming a 14 year old you for an accident you didn't cause 😂

[@scott8919]

Many of the 1.4T engines in these fail before 100k miles, at least here in the USA. But as a subcompact CUV owner, I think a lot of these are the perfect answer for those who like the idea of a small city hatchback but want more ground clearance.

[@julianevans9548]

Love how for Americans, this is 'subcompact'.

[@Ayanami_channel]

I’ve had a similar experience, those 1.4T Fam0 engines blow head gaskets routinely. Had one languishing in the shop until we finally sought to put a reman engine and get rid of it. With these Mokkas I’d only recommend the diesel or the 1.6i. Also avoid the autoboxes.

[@Hipas_Account]

@@julianevans9548 I love the idea of needing "more ground clearance" from a city hatchback... emphasis on city.

[@Gary85Paul]

I have a colleague whose Mokka blew a head gasket. She was then stupid enough to let a garage rip her off - they reskimmed the block and the cylinder head, which didn't in the slightest bit fix the problem before causing the car to overheat and coat everything with engine mayonnaise. This was before replacing it with yet another 1.4t Mokka, that she part exchanged at the garage which did the shoddy repair, and therefore knew of the car's troubled history and duly factoring into the price they offered. You just can't save some people. Even from themselves.

[@kristoffer3000]

@@julianevans9548 It's the size of a medium sandwich for an American so why wouldn't it?

[@_Ben4810]

People have ridiculously high expectations of cars...& being British, we are unique in slagging-off our own country's brands like no other population does. It's a great little car, a perfect A to B'er...👌

[@anastassiosperakis2869]

no they sure as hell do not. For the ton of $ they shell out for a lousy econobox, they SHOULD DEMAND MUCH MORE>

[@vehicles_n_stuff]

Yeah, as an American, I can tell you that cars designed by American companies for the American market are almost always awful (excluding specialty cars such as muscle cars or pickups). This has been true for decades and a big reason the American companies lost so much market share to foreign companies in the US market.

[@interceptor-ss8kb]

Nothing British about Vauxhall. We don't make or design any Vauxhall cars across here. So I can call the mokka a piece of sh## without feeling guilty which it is.

[@interceptor-ss8kb]

​@richardharrold9736 I can't argue with that. The wife once owned a brand New Discovery 4 and it was an utter piece of Junk we became best friends with the RAC. Saying that she replaced it with an XC90 and that was even more unreliable I don't know how as the Discovery didn't go 6 months without a costly issue or issues luckily most covered under warranty but we would never have kept it passed it manufacturers warranty.

[@interceptor-ss8kb]

​​​​Ours was the V6 diesel, alot of the issues were electrical, but mechanical problems were the main problem gearbox, rear diff, driveshafts, suspension The engine was perfectly fine the only good bit about it. Ridiculous amount of issues we had in 3 years and only 29k miles​@richardharrold9736

[@YTSsport]

My dad has just bought one after me telling him several times not to. He loves it. Says its nice to drive and good enough for what he needs. I've been in it a few times and from the passenger side seems good enough. Yes it's not a B road blaster but for the daily commute it seems to be perfectly fine.

[@MrSonicAdvance]

I love how your Gran respected her husband so much that she was still adhering to his principles 15 uears after his death. Top wife!

[@timelwell7002]

*This has to be the most hilarious car review I've ever seen.* What a hoot..! James's grandmother was clearly quite the character. In point of fact, I might even consider buying a Mokka myself at some point. *Why?* Because a great deal of my mileage is done on country roads, and during our increasingly wet Winters, where flooding was once a rare event, it now happens all too frequently. (As an aside, in recent years, and for reasons unknown to me, all the ditches have been filled in, thereby make a bad situation far worse). Therefore, rather than invest in an amphibious vehicle, a car with high ground clearance would seem to be a more suitable option. Needless to say, the Mokka is far from the ONLY choice on my 'bucket list.' I suspect that I'd be more likely to go for, say, a Kia Sportage. Nonetheless, the Mokka is in fact a practical vehicle for my purposes, thus it remains one of the more serious proposals to ensure my continuing mobility.

[@GaryPaker]

I’m a petrol head, owning a number of cars from new. 981 cayman, MX5, etc, etc. I’ve also owned a Mokka TD from new from 2014. It’s covered 140000 miles been to Turkey in it twice. Dogs, grandchildren fellow hikers, mud +++. Still going strong and never missed a beat. Yes there are more comfortable better specked small SUV’s out there but personally it’s not that bad a car which returns reasonable mileage.

[@alexandermclaughlin3978]

My condolences James, you obviously loved her very much. I had the surprising delight of trying my colleagues Mokka 1.4T, when brand new in 2018. It was a completely decently driving car, with nice steering feel, a quite precise 6 speed manual, and a decent punch from the little 1.4. The chassis wasn't brilliant, but far from the worse I've tried. That said, my Octavia Combi 1.4 TSI i had at the time (and until last year actually) was the superior car in every single way, despite being 7 years older 😊

[@jamesonslow]

Brutal honesty included, that's a touching tribute to your nan. And goes to show how cars capture memories.

[@joshuaweir1294]

I am a moderate duration fan of the channel, James as you make good informative content, but this was the best video you have made. It all came together in those last 5 minutes very convincingly. Well done. Also, the outro music really does suit being put with important pictures, like those of your lovely Nan. It might be an idea to use still shots for a DSLR in combo with the music.

[@greenyrog]

One of the lads at work has one, loves it. Travels from Shap to Sedbergh every day, always makes it.

[@johnrobson4230]

On to my 2nd mokka, 67plate face lift model, it has, full leather heated seats/steering wheel, parking sensors front and rear, dual zone climate control automatic lights/wipers etc etc, show me a BMW or Audi that comes equipped like this, I’m a pensioner so can’t afford the types of cars petrol heads go on. About, my mokka is a joy to drive, the Public has spoken by the sheer numbers sold, enough said. Ps, loved your video, you do love your grandma really lol

[@720pgamers4]

Brought a Mokka 1.4t 2016 yesterday I'm going to be honest compared to my old car a Skoda Fabia Mk2 2011 htp 60hp its a massive step up and if you have ever put up with the understeer of a fabia with a non working abs module and endless wiring faults and suspension and springs made out of paper you would understand the understeer on a Mokka is nothing compared to other hatch backs out there/cross overs. I'm a car guy i see why people don't like it i loved my broken Fabia and sketchiness of it was a really fun car to drive as it kept you on your toes all of the time back end loved to come out it was funny but not something you want to put up with when you have a kid and a wife, the mokka is just a plane npc car but with more power then most other npc cars on the road i would say if you have a family good car to buy if you don't its a bad buy get a astra instead!

[@jillschofield7161]

Just subscribed. found 2 of your videos..this and the hyundai coupe.i own a 2005 coupe had her for 7 years i love her but need a change shes got some battle scars and im on a budget so looking at something 'chunkier' and higher up in total contrast..just needs to be practical now for work..i may look at the mokka/stepway/qashqai..i dont want like citreon c3 or fiesta 207..its really hard to find something pleasing to the eye like my coupe..any advice?

[@gaz-gemw5801]

Owned a Mokka for 3 years, bought it brand new, Never had any issues, not one. 😊😊😊😊👍🏻

[@WhiteDieselShed]

But did you cover over 150,000 miles in those 3 years?

[@reinmansmith]

A lovely tribute to your Nan who sounded a real character that I’m sure many of us related too! Her Mokka reminded me of my dear departed Mum, who was telling me one day how she wished she had her own car as whenever she drove my Dad’s car (and she was a much safer driver than him!) he would always nag and shout at her as, like probably many of his generation, he thought women shouldn’t be on the road! Anyway I found her a little Vauxhall Agila in the same blue as your Nan’s Mokka which she named ‘Bluebird’ and that little car reliably carried her and her friends around on many a day out etc until she left this mortal coil. I then sold it to an elderly freind who is still running around in it now some 6-7yrs later….. sometimes there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a simple basic little car that does what it says on the tin. Well done for reminding us all of that fact 👍

[@paultasker7788]

I would much rather have one than an ecosport.

[@jimmyjt16]

Wash your mouth out lol. Not that I’m a fan of the Ecosport, but it’s based on the Fiesta which is a far better car than the Mokka.

[@paultasker7788]

@@jimmyjt16 the first generation was but only loosely. The drive was nowhere close and the interior was the same but in much worse plastics. I've travelled in a mocha and it seemed alright. Underpowered with the 1.6 non turbo and the ride wasn't great. Not driven one.

[@MiGujack3]

Wet timing belt goes snap, engine goes boom boom.

[@Luckyjo21]

no way you think a 1.0 ecoboost engine is better than this @@jimmyjt16​

[@paultasker7788]

​@MiGujack3 that can occasionally happen but what usually happens is small bits of wet belt fall off and clog up the oil pump. No oil to the engine equals boom boom!

[@jgh548]

One of your best, and a lovely tribute to your nan. You really brought her to life through your stories to the point where I was thinking it would have been good to have met her. Classy.

[@PB-fj5lh]

I have a mokka x . Had it almost 5 years and love it. A hoot to drive and ultra reliable. 1.4 turbo ecotec active. Loved every minute of driving it.

[@martinhow121]

We bought a 67 plate Mokka X as a distress purchase after someone wrote off our Zafira Tourer. We traded in a Citroen BX 19GTI for a Zafira MK1 when we had 3 children under 6 and could no longer get the car seats in. The BX was a car you could have fun with as well as a decent load lugger it would still do 110mph with 4 adults and a roof rack, mechanically it was un reliable, overall 9/10 as a driving experience. The Zafira did 17 years and 150,000 miles and towed a trailer plus a roof box no sweat. However driving experience about 6/10. We swapped it for a Zafira Tourer 1.4 Turbo Petrol which was a much better package and had a lots of toys. We enjoyed it but as the family had left us or had their own cars it was a bit big. I did get a full size bench lathe in the back but that was an exception. When the Airbags were set off it was (side) curtains literally. The prime feature we wanted in a smaller replacement car was an elevated driving position and decent equipment. The 1.36 Turbo Petrol is nippy enough to hack up and down the motor way on 30 mile daily commute and tight and well behaved in the wet on the country roads. Main complaints, the parking sensors are too loud and over sensitive, and the cabin noise is a bit high. It has the in built Navigator but no reversing camera. What a wasted opportunity. All in all a good car and much nicer than either the Astra, Corsa or Ford Fiesta.

[@paulashton43]

I recently bought a 1.4 Turbo Mokka X after having an Antara 2.2 cdti 4x4 , admittedly the Antara was a tank and expensive to run , but the Mokka has comfort enough speed and many toys Elite Spec, but surprisingly good to drive too , especially with a decent set of tyres . Ill be keeping mine for a few years to come . Ps , fantastic pictures of your Nan 🤗

[@roycekletke8787]

Drove the Opel in Europe 2019. 5km on the clock when we rented it. Never popped the hood but think it was the 1.4 turbo. Took it to Austria and had fun on the mountain roads and passes. Little storage, my dads walker on the back seats and barely enough room for the luggage. Probably hit 180 km on the autobahn and it would go higher. Peppy good trans brakes and steering.

[@jamesmalcolmdixon9592]

I’ve never heard so much drivel .Having owned 4 of these cars .They are a realy decent car . 1.4T. having very reasonable performance . Excellent for small families . Had no problems with any of them. Comfortable ride , and good road holding . I have now been driving for for t8 years , so must have some experience. Loved my Astra sport hatches .

[@Craig-xs4dv]

I agree with everything you said. This reviewer has some personal issues with this car I think. Posing as a defence of "the worst car in Britain" (obviously not even close to being the worst to start with) and "easily the least fashionable car for any petrol head to drive" is just stupid. As if someone would be buying it to show off to people at a vintage car rally or something. It's a very good family car, way better than most others like it. And it looks better than almost all other crossovers too.

[@daddymulk]

😂😂😂 time you tried a decent car then you would see things differently

[@cmartin_ok]

Mokka, European Ford Fusion, Ford B-Max, Nissan Pulsar... some cars just incite the motoring press into hatred despite being good, honest, reliable and boring. Many people have little interest in cars and to them, something that is good, reliable and costs little to run is all they want and need. RIP Nan, she sounded like a great character. I hope her Mokka continues to be looked after (is it for sale or will it remain in the family?)

[@petere8175]

I love this car as a petrolhead, it looks more offroader car than any crossover could pull off in a 4WD version

[@chestnut01111]

I have a customer with one the same as this. 186,000 miles last time i saw it, never washed, just used. Had a gearbox rebuild and at 160k but otherwise just keeps going. I have driven it and it's pretty good, as you say.

[@Hipas_Account]

Anything that has the fortune of not being a Qashqai, can't be all bad, although here in Finland the word "moka" which is pronounced like you pronounced "mokka", literally means "mistake".

[@matthewbass1832]

I have a 2014 1.7 cdti Same colour as the video ) and had it for 6 years with no problems , liked it enough to have bought a second one 1.6 … I have used it for deliveries with no issues after seeing other peoples cars not managing . I would recommend it👍🏻

[@vrsmartin2981]

I think that is actually a great and relatable tribute to your Gran! Nice one James 👍 I believe you when you said about Grans ghost too. I'm sure mine will do the same when that day does come😢

[@edmundisanski982]

I was on a work trip and my host arrived at the airport in a Mokka. He was to drive me around during my stay. My heart sank. However from the passenger seat it was a surprisingly nice experience. The car didn't wallow at all in the bends and felt properly planted, ensuring confidence that all was under control. This was not at the expense of a crashy ride either. The driver's stye could be best described as 'spirited', and as he was a young Italian chap what would you expect? The Mokka acquitted itself very well.

[@ogearhead2426]

It’s so funny how everyone hate this car. People often get confused about being a gearhead/petrolhead/car enthusiast and just wanting/expecting sportiness out of and above everything. Yeah, I do like love cars, INCLUDING SUVs, my favourite cars are the Range Rover I used to have, my mom’s Volvo and my old Touareg. I rather not going back home to change cars just because I’m going to the farm or a road trip I don’t know where. I hate braking at every bump. Besides the handling and drive position, are sedans really better than SUVs? I don’t see the S90 being awfully better than the XC90. Nor the S Class and GLS. X7 and 7 series… the only sedan that’s really better than its “donator” is the Rolls Royce Phantom. But no!!!!!! Everyone that loves cars MUST have a Lamborghini or a M5 Competition to use everyday and drive at 5mph in a bumpier road. Isn’t the M5 worst than a Cayenne GT? But I wouldn’t have any of them, too stiff. I’m not talking about a Corolla Cross. I love stiff and sporty cars, but I use my cars everyday and don’t live in Germany. A pothole and speed bump every 5 meters. Cheers! Isn’t “handling” subjective? I always drive at high speed, like 150mph, and still love the way a Range Rover wobbles. Also, had one “Mokka” for some months years ago, it was totally ok. For its category, normal size, comfortable, good powertrain and cheap to keep. Just like the Jeep Renegade. Despite the poor finishing of the Opel/Vauxhall/Chevy and Jeeps better platform.

[@driver8703]

Great video and sorry for your loss. I don’t mind this car, it’s one that nobody who likes cars will care about but do the job for people who don’t care. It becomes hateful for me when it gets a Buick badge, but mostly I hate the entire Buick brand as a whole. Because it signals “I want something more upscale than a Chevrolet, but can’t afford a Cadillac, so I got a Buick” and this is the lowest Buick on the list.

[@ronnielloyd4676]

God bless your Nan! I'd love to have heard what she had to said about you, as well as cars! :)

[@xanpagebrown]

My Grandparents are on their second Mokka, they are similar to your gran where they absolutely love Vauxhall's (they've only ever had Vauxhall's in the time I've been alive, all Corsa's and Vectra's). They got rid of their Vectra and Corsa and got a Mokka X Manual because my Grandad had a stroke and willingly gave up his license, therefore my Nan became the sole driver. My nan had begun shrinking due to Arthritis so they needed something high up. They got a 2017 Mokka X because it was what was new at the time and was high up for ease of access while not being a massive car. They soon swapped it when my nan started to struggle to drive a manual, so they got a 2018 Mokka X 1.4 Automatic. They still have that car to this day, and probably will until my nan stops driving. It's a pretty good car, and seems to do them well.

[@EnglishTMTB]

I'm fortunate, I think, that my grandfather has always been a petrolhead. He's stocked himself up with enough Saabs to last out his remaining years (a 900 classic softtop, 9000 aero manual and 9-5 auto).

[@xanpagebrown]

@@EnglishTMTB my grandad is/was very much a petrolhead. He always got the highest spec cars according to my dad. He had plenty of Rovers and Vauxhall’s that were the performance versions. He had an MG Maestro in top spec with all the toys including the digital dash (I think it talked as well if I remember correctly). This is from what I’ve been told by my dad though

[@nomsky4719]

your granny doesnt like french cars..I like her already! :D

[@ricado372]

It is weird when people have brand prejudices. It's like someone saying, "It's like having an alfa that falls apart all the time." I can't quite remember who said that, hmmm. I've had 5 alfas now. From quite nice to an old shit box. Never had a breakdown, never fallen apart.

[@jamiekelly9762]

I knew someone with one a few years back. He absolutely loved it. He wasn't into cars

[@7starsfear]

My mom owns the 2018 1.4 turbo petrol. It is small, boring but until now completely reliable. She loves it.

[@williamegler8771]

These were sold until recently in the United States as the Buick Encore and for a majority of the time it was the brand's best seller. Consistently selling between 60 and 80k per year. They are literally everywhere and 99% of the time they are driven by middle-aged women wearing yoga pants.

[@BadRavenFPV]

"middle-aged women wearing yoga pants" - as if the interior wasn't already bad enough. 😆

[@rabit818]

Don’t forget a pair of pink Skechers

[@ChrisLitton]

I honestly don't know why you hate on Vauxhall so much. I'm glad you gave this car as honest review. I currently own a 17 plate Astra elite, and apart from the rubbish pain job everything else has been solid so far.

[@JohnM...]

For about 17 minutes you said virtually nothing much about the car….video could have been 6 minutes long. For others, video REALLY starts at about 19:40

[@allanmchugh6760]

Thanks for your review, and your tribute to your grandmother. Sorry for your loss. One of my brothers has one of these. The reason he bought it was fairly simple. As he is now older (retired), getting in and out of his previous car (an Astra) was getting difficult (the getting up and down to the seat). With this, open the door, sit down on the seat, and swivel into position. No more struggling to get in and out, in a car of a size suitable to his needs. The same logic dictated the next sibling's down (a sister, also retired) decision on a recent car purchase (not a Mokka). The car has to meet with the needs and the requirements of the buyer, which is why these were popular.

[@timprice5]

I love the stories about your Grandmother. She was clearly a similar age to my own as all of those things you mentioned were very relatable! I used to get told off for driving in 5th gear and she used to get nervous when i drove on the motorway and effectively thought i was some kind of maniac for doing 70mph in it 😂 When she fell ill and couldnt drive any longer, i took her VW Polo to give it a clean ready for sale and drove it around for a week or so. My word that engine had never been worked hard and was completely dead over 2k rpm because of it. Her previous car (a Mitsubishi Space Star that my grandfather bought from the only garage he trusted) was covered in dents due to her reversing into the front wall of their garden multiple times. Could never tell her though!

[@Gorbyrev]

That's what i love about this channel. It could be about a Sagaris or a Phantom. Today it is about a Mokka. My Nana had a Wolsey 1500 in two yone blue. Because it was hers I loved it.

[@chriswalker8378]

9:32 I've got one & it's fine alot easier for my parents to get in and out of than an average car & you've missed an engine size out 1.6 tdi that's what I've got

[@timprice5]

I have a feeling that was a more refined replacement for the 1.7 DTI. My friend has a 1.6CDTi and it's 'ok' but his is a 65 plate so a fair but younger than this one.

[@Yorkman7]

So pleased to see this James. I love reading about and watching car videos but as a person closer your nans age than yours I only needed a small hatch. I could have afforded whatever I wanted up to £40,000 and ended up with Suzuki swift sport. Many of my friends laughed at it but it does everything I want and more. So many car snobs making comments on KZbin seem to get their kicks out of deriding others choices.

[@mikadavies660]

Driven on only a handbrake.... 👍 Proper Dunkirk spirit...

[@lukecrowley571]

I've never driven one but I believe you. My aunt has a second-generation Meriva (with many, many battle scars) and it's better to drive than it has any right to be.

[@lukecharteris6247]

Don't forget down under we had them as the Holden Trax.

[@rolandcharriez7631]

Here in the states, I had the 2014 Buick Encore and I loved the car. In the US, the Buick brand is consider a "near luxury/prestige" brand. I was the second owner and purchased it at the local dealership. The car had alot of "bells & whistles" ; moonroof, premium sound system, 4wd and leather. It had features way too much to state here. I loved the car and it was a hoot to drive. It was extremely comfortable on the highway and city driving. It was also extremely quiet. I got 30+mpg with my daily driving. Some reviewers here considered it like a mini Lexus. I ended up trading the car in for a 2023 Buick Encore GX. I wanted more tech for my car which the Encore didn't couldn't give me and it has more amenities than the older model. I love that car also. I did find the "fit and finish' was a little better on the older Encore. No regrets in the purchase and no regrets in purchasing the newer model. Loved the video.

[@kyleholloway3470]

I just completely hate the entire world of crossovers. They're worse than the equivalent hatchback in almost every measurable way.

[@JS67137]

@@kyleholloway3470 They just look cooler imo.

[@willyb3463]

We had a few Vauxhalls when I was a kid and late teens, old ones. Cheap and cheerful, many happy days in those cars. This looks like the same thing to me.

[@James-ld2jc]

Nice, good heartfelt tribute to your nan...

[@LightTheUnicorn]

My parents have had one for a long time. It's been reliable, hauls around the dog and gets my dad to work just fine every day. It's a totally fine car and it didn't cost much at all, they really like it.

[@markwood7045]

Great honest review from JayEmm. You said you like the driving experience, but the question is, why does the Mokka exist? It exists because of fashion. I personally can't stand this car because it stands for the whole " I need a high driving experience and a 'rugged' look to feel important" trend we see in cars. If you like the Mokka, then you hate the Fiesta, because it's cars like the Mokka and the Ford Ecosport which are killing off the small, great-to-drive hatchback. The Corsa I had as a hire car did all of what the Mokka does. But it's not as fashionable or as 'premium' (!) in buyer's minds. And Vauxhall can make more money on the slightly taller, bigger car. I'm sorry Jay but for me, any car in this class which is lower to the ground, set up to handle better, and isn't a fashion statement, would be a better drive. The Mokka for me symbolises the end of rationality in cars. It's a feckin Corsa on stilts. That's all it is.

[@ruk2023--]

It exists because 99% of the people in the world just want a vehicle to move them from a to b and have absolutely no interest in what it looks like or how fast it is but they know that they want something that is lifted up and easy to get into. It always amazes me how short sighted some people are. Do you really think that they make it when it doesn’t sell? Just because you don’t want it doesn’t mean that nobody wants it.

[@SavedbyHim]

I traded my fiesta for a Mokka when we got our second kid. The fiesta is just too small for a family. Not to mention the elevated driving position makes sense in a climate of loads of SUV's and pickups. We got T-boned by an X3 in my father in law's Mercedes and I'll tell you I feel much safer in a vehicle that is elevated higher, better visibility too.

[@markwood7045]

If they had no interest in what it looked like@@ruk2023-- then why would they buy a Mokka, and not a Corsa or a Fiesta or a Leon? It's because of the jacked up looks that this thing sells.

[@markwood7045]

Thank god you 'feel safer' @@SavedbyHim

[@SavedbyHim]

@@markwood7045 The Mokka is a safer car than the fiesta. Once you've been in a serious accident and walked away you think about more than just having a "better drive". The Mokka has a dedicated chassis unlike the EcoSport which runs on a fiesta chassis.

[@Psych0technic]

Goes to show that good sporty tires can make all the difference in the world. Mokka has been blessed with big rims, rather surprisingly. No wonder this particular example handles good with such a low profile tires.

[@enfield7123]

I have q mokka 1.7tdi had this car from 2015 had no real problems still get 120 on the motorway maybe a cheap tacky car to you but its my transport and definitely get another one without worries

[@Craig-wz8ur]

I wouldn't call it cheap or tacky though. Quite similar in price to its competitors and a lot less tacky than most of them.

[@Sam-jd3ys]

The KZbin algorithm strikes again! Mate, I'm a 27 year old 'petrolhead' who inherited a Vauxhall Mokka from my Grandma 6 years aho. This video brought me to tears for more than one reason. Thank you for this, I truly appreciated it.

[@thomascharnock]

Probably an unpopular opinion but I've always quite liked the look of the Mokka. Just looks squat and sturdy.

[@DutchEdgar]

I think it looks good too. Certainly better than most other crossovers.

[@brettdude92]

Hi Jay, To start with, what a lovely tribute. Secondly, I agree..... My late father owned one, and I took the mick out of it for everything that you did at every opportunity I could. It was only when he passed away in 2018 that I drove it and discovered the great steering and relative comfort which you also describe. He'd be so smug about it now if he knew I was saying that. 😂 RIP Dad.

[@scotty4979]

One of my mates was involved in a really bad crash that ended up with his MK3 Focus RS going up in flames. The only upside to the situation was that the car which he hit, was a Mokka. To which we said "At least there's one upside to this situation, one less Mokka on the roads of Britain."

[@mikeske9777]

The Mokka had a place in the market and it was built to that market. In the states where I live we had the Trax and the Encore and even though I never owned one I did drive a Encore that was a rental not a bad vehicle just a bit to tight for me as I could not get the drivers seat back enough for my height being at 1.95 tall there was just not enough adjustment for me. I still bought a Chevrolet as a retired vehicle and aircraft mechanic I just want something that gets from point A to point B and don't care what it looks so it was a fully loaded 2018 Chevrolet Equinox diesel which was only offered in 2018 and 2019. I just do not care what others think of what I drive as my 2nd vehicle is a 2004 Dodge Ram diesel which loud, crude and fits me perfectly hauling whatever I haul. The Mokka came and went and they did the job that most folks wanted. Being that I worked on various vehicles and aircraft my entire adult life they all work for me but I would not touch a German branded vehicle as I just do not like working on them in any sense

[@gregwilliams9122]

It is what it is... an appliance. It sold very well to older people because of its raised height. It's inoffensive. Don't get why people were SO harsh about it. Had one once as a cheap rental - it was fine. Nothing special, nothing tragic.

[@jkrk7006]

when I first saw it, I honestly liked it. my girlfriend drives one (company car thou) and when I drive it, it goes pretty well as cruiser, she got the full option type so seat heating included, very nice! to be short, this car is nice to drive, you never will win a traffic light drive away battle but to cruise with they are very good!

[@cafe405]

"Be your own person"......"If I see someone has brought the same car as me I'd sell mine" That's not being your own person, that's trying to be unique regardless.

[@jscxnt]

true, you can have the same car as someone and it still be unique in its own ways

[@jamesgowan8443]

In 2024 it makes more sense than when it was released. I have gone from a 3rd gen CR-V to the 1.6 diesel for my everyday/ towing/ dog walking car. If you drive a standard height car nowadays, road users take liberties and try to bully you. I admit that the car is poor in corners if your trying to hurry it along due to understeer more than bodyroll, that is why we have a more rewarding car to drive as well. Perhaps the critisism is more easily placed at the type of person that bought them from new/mobility scheme. Popular cars are easy targets. It's very good on fuel (my engine choice) cheap road tax and aside from the centre console is a fairly pleasant cabin to be in. The plastics won't be as nice to the touch as premium brands but you don't pay premium money. Big enough for the average family compared to some SUV barges. Overall for the money i'm impressed with the features. The Mokka X has better improvements if you can stretch to one, especially the infotainment system.

[@DutchEdgar]

Totally agree with you on how good the 1.6 diesel is on fuel. Can't get it to go below 57 MPG even just around town. A few longer trips and the average soon bumps up to over 60 MPG. I like everything else about it too. Definitely a case of a popular car being an easy target.