2007 Proton Gen 2 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Proton Gen 2 passed 69.7% of its 910 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 26.7% of the time, so this is 3.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.4%) and brakes (15.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rbt (sp) and malfunction indicator lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 86 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.2% in the 0-30k band and 38.1% in the 90-120k band, a 16.9-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 33.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 28.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 167 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.8% | 144 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.2% | 111 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.4% | 104 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.2% | 66 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 64 |
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 | 86 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 65 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 53 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 52 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 48 |
| 6 | Wipers | 48 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 33.5% | 305 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.9% | 281 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.7% | 270 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.5% | 168 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 153 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.2% | 147 |
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 | 66 | 21.2% |
| 30-60k | 275 | 24.4% |
| 60-90k | 369 | 31.7% |
| 90-120k | 168 | 38.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 286 | 28.0% |
| 2022 | 232 | 29.7% |
| 2023 | 179 | 31.3% |
| 2024 | 139 | 35.3% |
| 2025 | 74 | 29.7% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Gen 2
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.8% 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 (12.2% 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 2007 Proton Gen 2s pass their MOT?
69.7% of the 910 2007 Proton Gen 2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Proton Gen 2?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by brakes (15.8%).
Does the 2007 Gen 2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.2% in the 0-30k band to 38.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 910 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.