Proton Gen-2: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The Proton Gen-2 fails its first MOT more often than the average UK car, by 19.2 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 503 individual Proton Gen-2 tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

What this means if you are buying one

A 57.5% first-time pass rate means roughly 43 in every 100 Proton Gen-2s presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is worse than average, so budget for remedial work and treat a fresh 12-month MOT as a genuine selling point rather than a given. The average Proton Gen-2 tested had covered 69,942 miles and was built around 2008.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The Proton Gen-2 sits 19.2 points below the national average, ranked 1,984 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, assume the mechanical side needs more than the visible accident damage, and pad your repair estimate accordingly.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific Proton Gen-2 rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see recorded closing bids for damaged Proton Gen-2s at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a Proton Gen-2

1. A door will not open using the relevant control or close properly, 5.6% of tests (30.94x the national rate for this defect)
2. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 7.6% of tests (8x the national rate for this defect)
3. Parking brake inoperative on one side, 4.6% of tests (7.67x the national rate for this defect)
4. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 9.3% of tests (7.18x the national rate for this defect)
5. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 12.3% of tests (5.24x the national rate for this defect)
6. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 9.5% of tests (5.19x the national rate for this defect)
7. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 7% of tests (4.54x the national rate for this defect)
8. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 5.2% of tests (4.04x the national rate for this defect)
9. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 3.6% of tests (3.53x the national rate for this defect)
10. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 6.2% of tests (3.24x the national rate for this defect)

From 503 DVSA-tracked Proton Gen-2 tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 4.57% of these flagged Proton Gen-2 defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a Proton Gen-2

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a Proton Gen-2 before it actually fails on it.

1. Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning, 4% of tests (16.46x the national rate for this advisory)
2. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 25.4% of tests (4.58x the national rate for this advisory)
3. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 6.4% of tests (4.19x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
4. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 16.5% of tests (3.19x the national rate for this advisory)
5. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 8.7% of tests (3.07x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
6. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 16.7% of tests (2.7x the national rate for this advisory)
7. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 25.4% of tests (2.08x the national rate for this advisory)
8. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 6.6% of tests (1.68x the national rate for this advisory)
9. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 4.2% of tests (1.57x the national rate for this advisory)
10. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 13.1% of tests (1.4x the national rate for this advisory)

From 503 DVSA-tracked Proton Gen-2 tests, 2024.

Other Proton models

• Proton Savvy - 55.5%

Models with a similar pass rate

• Chevrolet Matiz - 57.7%
• Fiat Sedici - 57.6%
• Renault Modus - 57.5%
• Peugeot 307 - 57.4%
• Fiat Bravo - 57.4%
• Citroen Grand C4 Picasso - 57.2%

If this car is a salvage or write-off

• What does Cat N mean? Category N explained
• What does Cat S mean? Category S explained
• Cat S vs Cat N: the real differences
• Do you need an HPI check on a car you know is a write-off?

Embed this data

Run a site about the Proton Gen-2? Embed the real DVSA pass-rate badge free, linked back to this page.

<a href="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/mot/proton-gen-2"><img src="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/badge/proton-gen-2.svg" width="340" height="92" alt="Proton Gen-2 MOT Pass Rate: 57.5% - Salvage Prophet"></a>

Run a garage or parts site? Embed the Proton Gen-2's top real failure reason instead, linked back here.

<a href="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/mot/proton-gen-2"><img src="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/badge/failure/proton-gen-2.svg" width="340" height="106" alt="Proton Gen-2 most common MOT failure: A door will not open using the relevant control or close properly (5.6% of tests) - Salvage Prophet"></a>

All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate