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Proton Gen 2 car check

Find out if a Gen 2 has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.

MOT failure rate
28.5%14k tests
Known problems
5across GEN2
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which Gen 2 are you looking at?

Each Gen 2 generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.

  1. Structural corrosion reducing assembly rigidity

    Safety risk GEN2

    The Gen-2's body structure is prone to corrosion that affects the rigidity of the vehicle assembly, particularly around sill areas and suspension mounting points. This represents a direct safety risk as weakened structural points can affect crash protection and suspension geometry. MOT data shows this model fails structural corrosion tests at 9.9 times the fleet average, with failures appearing from 40,000 miles onwards.

    What to check: Inspect the sill areas (the horizontal sections running under each door) for rust bubbling through the paintwork or visible holes. Pay particular attention to the rear section of each sill where the rear suspension mounts. Check around the rear wheel arches inside and out for corrosion that has s...

  2. Brake actuator leakage

    Safety and MOT risk GEN2

    The brake actuator unit (part of the ABS system) develops internal leakage that does not immediately affect braking performance but indicates impending failure. This component integrates the ABS pump and valve block in a single unit. MOT data shows this model fails actuator leakage tests at 91.9 times the fleet average, with peak failures occurring between 80,000-100,000 miles.

    What to check: Check the brake fluid reservoir level - frequent top-ups indicate a leak somewhere in the system. Look for brake fluid stains on the driveway or parking area under the car. Examine the ABS actuator unit (a rectangular metal box mounted near the brake master cylinder) for external fluid stains or ...

  3. Power steering system leakage or malfunction

    Wear item GEN2

    The hydraulic power steering system develops leaks from the pump, high-pressure lines, or rack seals, or suffers pump failure. This model shows power steering failures at 52.8 times the fleet average, with peak failures between 40,000-60,000 miles. Complete loss of power assistance makes the car very difficult to steer at low speeds.

    What to check: Check the power steering fluid reservoir (typically mounted on or near the engine) for level and colour. Fluid should be clear or light amber - dark or contaminated fluid indicates pump wear. Look for pink or red fluid stains under the car, particularly around the front wheels and engine bay. Exa...

  4. Suspension component damage or corrosion

    Wear item GEN2

    Suspension components including control arms, subframes, and mounting brackets suffer excessive corrosion damage that compromises their structural integrity. This affects the car across its entire mileage range from 20,000 miles onwards. MOT data shows suspension component damage at 25.6 times the fleet average, indicating a systematic weakness in corrosion protection.

    What to check: Jack up each corner of the car safely and examine the control arms, subframe, and suspension mounting points for rust, corrosion, or cracking. Look for flaking rust or holes in suspension components, particularly where they mount to the body. Check that all suspension bolts and fixings are secure...

  5. Handbrake operation failure

    Safety and MOT risk GEN2

    The handbrake system fails to operate effectively on one or both sides, either due to cable stretch, seized mechanisms, or corroded components. MOT data shows handbrake efficiency failures at 11.5 times the fleet average and single-side operation failures at 20.7 times the average. This represents both a safety risk and an MOT failure.

    What to check: Pull the handbrake lever - it should engage firmly within 3-5 clicks and hold the car securely on a slight incline. Release the handbrake and check that both rear wheels turn freely by hand when the car is jacked up safely. Look under the car at the handbrake cables for fraying, corrosion, or sei...

Gen 2 MOT results

28.5%

of Gen 2 MOT tests end in a fail, from 14,168 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Coil springs brokenBrakes
  2. Power steering faultSteering
  3. Bumper insecure or with damageBodywork

Check the Gen 2 you’re buying

One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.

What the check includes

Gen 2 questions

Is the Proton Gen 2 reliable?

28.5% of Gen 2 models fail their MOT based on 14,168 tests analysed. That’s below average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being structural corrosion reducing assembly rigidity. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.

What are the main problems with a Proton Gen 2?

The most serious known issues are structural corrosion reducing assembly rigidity, brake actuator leakage, power steering system leakage or malfunction. Our car check flags whether a specific Gen 2 has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Proton Gen 2 has outstanding finance?

Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.

How do I check if a Proton Gen 2 has been written off?

Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N Gen 2 has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.

Can I check a Proton Gen 2 for free?

You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.

Is a Proton Gen 2 HPI check worth it?

HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known Gen 2 faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.

What does a Proton Gen 2 fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the Gen 2 is coil springs broken. 28.5% of Gen 2 models fail overall, based on 14,168 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the Gen 2

Other Proton car checks

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Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.