Proton Savvy MOT pass rate & common failures
The Proton Savvy appears in 5,445 MOT tests spanning model years 2006–2013, and 67.8% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (25.2% fail rate), the Savvy comes out 7.0pp worse. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (19.3%) and brakes (17.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 887 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 24.1% in the 0-30k band and 39.2% in the 90-120k band, a 15.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
Every Savvy model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,085 | 64.8% | 35.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2007 | 1,066 | 65.3% | 34.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2008 | 705 | 66.1% | 33.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2009 | 766 | 69.7% | 30.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2010 | 947 | 71.4% | 28.6% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2011 | 572 | 71.3% | 28.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2012 | 278 | 68.7% | 31.3% | Brakes |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.3% | 1,050 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.2% | 934 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.7% | 583 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.9% | 430 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.4% | 402 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.1% | 385 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 360 |
| 8 | Steering | 5.2% | 285 |
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 | 887 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 539 |
| 3 | Wipers | 315 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 299 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 253 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 244 |
| 7 | Exhaust system | 226 |
| 8 | Rbt (sp) | 220 |
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 | 36.8% | 2,001 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.2% | 1,860 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.4% | 1,436 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.9% | 593 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 530 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.4% | 513 |
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 | 846 | 24.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,657 | 31.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,571 | 35.6% |
| 90-120k | 334 | 39.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,747 | 32.8% |
| 2022 | 1,336 | 31.7% |
| 2023 | 1,053 | 31.3% |
| 2024 | 754 | 33.3% |
| 2025 | 555 | 31.9% |
What to check before buying a Proton Savvy
- Lighting & signalling (19.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (17.2% 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 (10.7% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Proton Savvy?
67.8% of the 5,445 Proton Savvy MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 32.2% fail rate, across model years 2006–2013.
What does the Proton Savvy most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.3% of tests, then brakes (17.2%).
How much does mileage affect Savvy MOT results?
Fail rates run at 24.1% for cars in the 0-30k band and 39.2% for 90-120k, a 15.1-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,445 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.