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Opel Mokka 1.6 Cosmo common faults.

2012–2016, SUV, petrol, 115 HP.

The fault list covers: A16XER engine, F17 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

2 fault write-ups. Both are important. 2 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

2 important faults

critical1

1.6 Twinport / XER (Z16XEP, Z16XER): timing belt at 150,000 km / 10 years

critical

The 1.6 naturally aspirated petrol engines of the Astra H (Z16XEP, Z16XE1, Z16XER) run a timing belt, not a chain. The replacement interval is 150,000 km or 10 years, whichever comes first.

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If the belt breaks, the engine is badly damaged inside. Most used cars are right around the 10 year mark, and if there is no invoice for the belt change, the belt is due.

On the Z16XER the variable valve timing (phaser and solenoid) can rattle on a cold start, and it can log a P0011 or P0014 fault code. That is not the belt.

between 120,000 and 180,000 km

What to check

  • Ask for the timing belt replacement invoice: 150,000 km or 10 years, whichever comes first
  • If there is no documentation and the car is over 10 years old or above 150,000 km, count on a belt change
  • On a cold start listen for the phaser rattle: it is not the sound of the belt, but it is common on this engine
2 more steps in the write-up

expensive1

F17 five speed manual gearbox: synchros and differential

expensive

The Opel F17 (and F17+) is one of the most common five speed manual gearboxes of the Astra / Corsa / Zafira era. The synchro ring and the differential wear, and so do the layshaft bearings.

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Symptoms: a stiff or scratchy shift (mostly when warm), a whine while driving, differential noise when pulling away. Failures are more common with the stronger engines (at the limit of the F17+). Oil leaks speed up the wear: 5th gear sits high, so it is the first to be short of lubrication.

between 120,000 and 220,000 km

What to check

  • When warm, at 80 to 100 km/h, listen for gearbox whine: a noise that rises with the revs is suspect
  • Try 1 to 2 and 2 to 3 shifts cold and warm: binding, scratchiness
  • When pulling away, listen for noise or a clunk from the differential
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Opel Mokka 1.6 Cosmo

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall2 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 4 August 2025

SR/02979/25Safety recallInjuries4 August 2025 · EU Safety Gate

The structure of the airbag can deteriorate. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator, injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 04/08/2025 Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Request to stop driving Date of entry into force: 04/08/2025

The authority's notice

A12/01581/24Safety recallInjuries1 December 2023 · EU Safety Gate

The propellant used in the driver airbag inflator can degrade when exposed to very high temperatures and levels of humidity. If activated after an impact, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to burst, and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 01/12/2023

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

A16XER · 1.6 (ecoFLEX)

85–103 kW (116–140 HP) · petrol

F17 · 5-speed manual, transverse (Opel F17 / F17+)

manual · 5 speed

Torque limit200 Nm
MakerOpel/GM

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
Cosmo
Body
SUV
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
manual
Engine size
1598 cc
Power
85 kW (116 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2012–2016

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 years
All A versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms