Proton Impian MOT Failures
An analysis of 509 real DVSA MOT tests on the Proton Impian — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Proton Impian fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Proton Impian is steering rack wear — this model is 100 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 509 MOT tests, 7.97% of all Proton Impian tests recorded this as a failure.
Steering faults include worn track rod ends, power steering leaks, and rack wear. These are safety-critical — any play in the steering should be investigated immediately.
Other notable weak points include light unit fault (8.3x the fleet average) and suspension component damaged or corroded (5.9x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Proton Impian'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 3 categories: Steering, Lights & Electrics, Suspension. If you're inspecting a Proton Impian 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 Impian'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.
The standout failure at this mileage is light unit fault at 8.3x the fleet average.
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 Impian specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are steering rack wear (100x the average) and suspension component damaged or corroded (5.9x).
The shift from light unit fault at lower mileages to steering rack wear 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.
What to check before buying a Proton Impian
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Proton Impian:
Steering — check for steering rack wear. Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault. Suspension — check for suspension component damaged or corroded.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Proton Impian?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Proton Impian MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Proton Impian?
Based on 509 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is steering rack wear — at 100x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include light unit fault and suspension component damaged or corroded.
Is the Proton Impian reliable based on MOT data?
The Proton Impian has 3 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is steering rack wear. Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include steering rack wear, light unit fault, suspension component damaged or corroded.
How do I check a Proton Impian'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.