2010 Proton Gen 2 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 664 MOT tests, the 2010 Proton Gen 2 recorded a 70.6% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 23.9% of the time, so this is 5.5pp 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 (19.1%) and brakes (17.5%) 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 position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 52 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.5% in the 0-30k band and 29.3% in the 90-120k band, a 10.7-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.1% | 127 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.5% | 116 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.1% | 67 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.5% | 63 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.5% | 43 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.0% | 40 |
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 | 52 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 50 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 42 |
| 4 | Wipers | 38 |
| 5 | Parking brake performance | 37 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 32 |
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 | 37.6% | 250 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.3% | 228 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.9% | 185 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 24.9% | 165 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 75 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 66 |
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 | 54 | 18.5% |
| 30-60k | 186 | 25.8% |
| 60-90k | 290 | 32.8% |
| 90-120k | 106 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 203 | 30.5% |
| 2022 | 168 | 30.9% |
| 2023 | 124 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 96 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 73 | 30.1% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Gen 2
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (17.5% 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 (10.1% 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 2010 Proton Gen 2s pass their MOT?
70.6% of the 664 2010 Proton Gen 2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Proton Gen 2?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.1% of tests, followed by brakes (17.5%).
Does the 2010 Gen 2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.5% in the 0-30k band to 29.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 664 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.