2005 Proton Gen/2 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 393 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Proton Gen/2, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 69.2% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.6% in the 90-120k group versus 30.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 73 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.0% | 51 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.7% | 50 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 33 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.4% | 29 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.6% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 31 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 28 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 25 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 25 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 24 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 12 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 30.0% | 118 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.2% | 103 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.2% | 103 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.1% | 79 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.5% | 61 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.2% | 52 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 40 | 30.0% |
| 30-60k | 123 | 30.1% |
| 60-90k | 169 | 29.6% |
| 90-120k | 45 | 35.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 153 | 31.4% |
| 2022 | 92 | 29.3% |
| 2023 | 68 | 30.9% |
| 2024 | 47 | 29.8% |
| 2025 | 33 | 33.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Gen/2
Before buying a 2005 Proton Gen/2, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (12.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2005 Proton Gen/2s pass their MOT?
69.2% of the 393 2005 Proton Gen/2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Proton Gen/2?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by brakes (13.0%).
Does the 2005 Gen/2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.0% in the 0-30k band to 35.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 393 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.