Proton Gen 2 MOT Failures
An analysis of 17,675 real DVSA MOT tests on the Proton Gen 2 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: GEN2 (2004–2013).
Where the Proton Gen 2 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Proton Gen 2 is anti-roll bar links worn — this model is 43 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 17,675 MOT tests, 5.49% of all Proton Gen 2 tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include coil springs broken (121x the fleet average), power steering fault (53x the fleet average), parking brake inoperative on one side (40x the fleet average), and abs fault (31x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Proton Gen 2's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Brakes, Steering, Lights & Electrics, Exhaust & Emissions. If you're inspecting a Proton Gen 2 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Proton Gen 2's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Proton Gen 2 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (121x the average) and power steering fault (53x). anti-roll bar links worn (43x) and bumper insecure or with damage (42x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Proton Gen 2 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (88x the average) and light unit fault (18x). power steering fault (16x) and headlight fault (15x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Proton Gen 2 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are anti-roll bar links worn (8.8x the average) and parking brake inoperative on one side (6.5x). emissions failure (6.4x) and abs fault (6.4x) also appear frequently.
The shift from coil springs broken at lower mileages to anti-roll bar links worn at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Proton Gen 2 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Structural corrosion reducing assembly rigidity (GEN2) Dangerous
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. Affects GEN2; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£1,500.
Brake actuator leakage (GEN2) Major
The brake actuator unit (part of the ABS system) develops internal leakage that does not immediately affect braking performance but indicates impending failure. Affects GEN2; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£700.
Power steering system leakage or malfunction (GEN2) Major
The hydraulic power steering system develops leaks from the pump, high-pressure lines, or rack seals, or suffers pump failure. Affects GEN2; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Suspension component damage or corrosion (GEN2) Major
Suspension components including control arms, subframes, and mounting brackets suffer excessive corrosion damage that compromises their structural integrity. Affects GEN2; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£400.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Proton Gen 2 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Proton Gen 2
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Proton Gen 2:
Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, abs fault. Brakes — check for coil springs broken, parking brake inoperative on one side, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement. Steering — check for power steering fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion reducing assembly rigidity and brake actuator leakage. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £500. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Proton Gen 2?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Proton Gen 2 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Proton Gen 2?
Based on 17,675 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is anti-roll bar links worn — at 43x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include coil springs broken and power steering fault.
Is the Proton Gen 2 reliable based on MOT data?
The Proton Gen 2 has 13 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag structural corrosion reducing assembly rigidity as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Proton Gen 2 most commonly fails on anti-roll bar links worn and parking brake inoperative on one side. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are coil springs broken and power steering fault.
How do I check a Proton Gen 2's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.