2009 Proton Gen/2 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 580 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Proton Gen/2, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 69.1% was below the average for cars of a similar age (76.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 36.8% in the 120-150k group versus 19.5% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 19.3% | 112 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.9% | 104 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.7% | 62 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 54 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.1% | 41 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.2% | 36 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 53 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 51 |
| 3 | Wipers | 36 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 34 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 32 |
| 6 | Parking brake performance | 29 |
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 | 39.7% | 230 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.5% | 177 |
| 3 | Suspension | 30.5% | 177 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 26.2% | 152 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 76 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.6% | 67 |
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 | 41 | 19.5% |
| 30-60k | 208 | 27.4% |
| 60-90k | 200 | 32.0% |
| 90-120k | 77 | 39.0% |
| 120-150k | 38 | 36.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 196 | 33.7% |
| 2022 | 138 | 29.7% |
| 2023 | 110 | 30.9% |
| 2024 | 86 | 32.6% |
| 2025 | 50 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Gen/2
Before buying a 2009 Proton Gen/2, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 19.3% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (19.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (17.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.7% 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 2009 Proton Gen/2s pass their MOT?
69.1% of the 580 2009 Proton Gen/2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Proton Gen/2?
Brakes, recorded in 19.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.9%).
Does the 2009 Gen/2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.5% in the 0-30k band to 36.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 580 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.