2006 Proton Gen 2 — MOT failures & pass rate
576 MOT tests on the 2006 Proton Gen 2 are in this dataset, and 68.9% of them passed. That is 4.0 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.8%) and suspension (15.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and rbt (sp) — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 45 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2006 Gen 2 fails 31.5% of the time in the 30-60k band and 33.3% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.9 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 97 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.8% | 91 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.9% | 80 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 50 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 43 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.8% | 39 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 45 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 40 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 37 |
| 4 | Wipers | 36 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 36 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 33 |
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 | 34.0% | 196 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.3% | 186 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.6% | 165 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 24.1% | 139 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 106 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.9% | 80 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 232 | 31.5% |
| 60-90k | 203 | 30.0% |
| 90-120k | 108 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 213 | 28.2% |
| 2022 | 147 | 32.0% |
| 2023 | 107 | 34.6% |
| 2024 | 65 | 33.9% |
| 2025 | 44 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Gen 2
On a 2006 Gen 2, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.8% 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.
- Brakes (13.9% 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.
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 2006 Proton Gen 2s pass their MOT?
68.9% of the 576 2006 Proton Gen 2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Proton Gen 2?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.8% of tests, followed by suspension (15.8%).
Does the 2006 Gen 2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.5% in the 30-60k band to 33.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 576 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.