2010 Proton Savvy — MOT failures & pass rate
947 MOT tests on the 2010 Proton Savvy are in this dataset, and 71.4% of them passed. That is 4.6 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.5%) and brakes (16.3%) 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 rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 154 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.8% versus 20.8%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.4% 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 | 17.5% | 166 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.3% | 154 |
| 3 | Tyres | 8.2% | 78 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.8% | 64 |
| 5 | Suspension | 6.6% | 62 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 53 |
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 | 154 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 71 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 66 |
| 4 | Wipers | 45 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 41 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 39 |
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 | 33.4% | 316 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.7% | 300 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.0% | 265 |
| 4 | Steering | 11.4% | 108 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.1% | 96 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.2% | 78 |
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 | 202 | 20.8% |
| 30-60k | 448 | 27.7% |
| 60-90k | 244 | 35.3% |
| 90-120k | 46 | 34.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 266 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 211 | 28.9% |
| 2023 | 189 | 25.9% |
| 2024 | 161 | 32.9% |
| 2025 | 120 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Savvy
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.3% 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.
- Tyres (8.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 Savvys pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 947 2010 Proton Savvy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Proton Savvy?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.5% of tests, followed by brakes (16.3%).
Does the 2010 Savvy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.8% in the 0-30k band to 34.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 947 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.