2008 Proton Savvy — MOT failures & pass rate
705 MOT tests on the 2008 Proton Savvy are in this dataset, and 66.1% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 25.9% of the time, so this is 8.0pp 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 (19.6%) 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 catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 115 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 33.3% versus 28.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 37.6% in 2021 to 31.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.6% | 138 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.2% | 121 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.2% | 93 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.1% | 71 |
| 5 | Tyres | 8.4% | 59 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.9% | 56 |
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 | 115 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 64 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 45 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 45 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 39 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 35 |
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 | 35.3% | 249 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.9% | 232 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.9% | 197 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.9% | 119 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.2% | 79 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 73 |
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 | 112 | 28.6% |
| 30-60k | 319 | 33.2% |
| 60-90k | 240 | 37.9% |
| 90-120k | 30 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 234 | 37.6% |
| 2022 | 166 | 32.5% |
| 2023 | 131 | 30.5% |
| 2024 | 97 | 34.0% |
| 2025 | 77 | 31.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Savvy
On a 2008 Savvy, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.6% 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 (13.2% 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 2008 Proton Savvys pass their MOT?
66.1% of the 705 2008 Proton Savvy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Proton Savvy?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.6% of tests, followed by brakes (17.2%).
Does the 2008 Savvy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.6% in the 0-30k band to 33.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 705 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.