2006 Proton Savvy — MOT failures & pass rate
1,085 MOT tests on the 2006 Proton Savvy are in this dataset, and 64.8% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.2% fail rate), the 2006 Savvy comes out 8.1pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 22.0% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 197 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 42.6% versus 32.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.0% | 239 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.7% | 203 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.7% | 149 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 81 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 80 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.4% | 80 |
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 | 197 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 124 |
| 3 | Wipers | 62 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 59 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 58 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 53 |
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 | 41.6% | 451 |
| 2 | Brakes | 37.4% | 406 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.5% | 298 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 130 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 113 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.3% | 112 |
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 | 101 | 32.7% |
| 30-60k | 514 | 33.5% |
| 60-90k | 346 | 35.8% |
| 90-120k | 115 | 42.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 378 | 33.9% |
| 2022 | 283 | 35.0% |
| 2023 | 198 | 37.4% |
| 2024 | 135 | 36.3% |
| 2025 | 91 | 35.2% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Savvy
On a 2006 Savvy, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (18.7% 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 (13.7% 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 2006 Proton Savvys pass their MOT?
64.8% of the 1,085 2006 Proton Savvy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 35.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Proton Savvy?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.0% of tests, followed by brakes (18.7%).
Does the 2006 Savvy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.7% in the 0-30k band to 42.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,085 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.