Proton GEN-2 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Proton GEN-2 car check
Is the Proton GEN-2 reliable? We analysed 59,272 real MOT tests across 4,783 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Proton GEN-2? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Proton GEN-2 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and parking brake recording little or no effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Proton GEN-2.
Proton GEN-2 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Proton GEN-2. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Proton GEN-2 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Proton GEN-2 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Proton GEN-2 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Proton GEN-2 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Proton GEN-2 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Proton GEN-2 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Proton GEN-2 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Proton GEN-2 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 69 | 76.8% | 26,355 | 41,144 | 58,357 |
| 2012 | 859 | 69.2% | 30,502 | 51,137 | 74,734 |
| 2011 | 1,850 | 70.9% | 29,200 | 45,602 | 67,999 |
| 2010 | 3,439 | 70.7% | 29,344 | 48,142 | 70,087 |
| 2009 | 4,475 | 69.9% | 28,402 | 45,997 | 67,998 |
| 2008 | 8,514 | 70.0% | 29,079 | 46,351 | 68,676 |
| 2007 | 11,743 | 70.0% | 30,011 | 47,381 | 68,259 |
| 2006 | 13,081 | 70.5% | 29,570 | 46,408 | 66,986 |
| 2005 | 12,597 | 71.4% | 30,080 | 46,104 | 66,260 |
| 2004 | 2,617 | 70.7% | 30,011 | 46,302 | 68,338 |
How Long Does a Proton GEN-2 Last?
Based on 4,783 Proton GEN-2 vehicles on UK roads.
Proton GEN-2 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Proton GEN-2 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Proton GEN-2
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
76.8% MOT pass rate from 69 tests
69.2% MOT pass rate from 859 tests
The best year to buy a used Proton GEN-2 is 2013, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.8% across 69 tests. The 2012 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Proton GEN-2 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton GEN-2 THIS CAR | 70.5% | 59,272 | 46,580 mi | 22 yrs |
| Proton Persona | 66% | 104,196 | 68,588 mi | 32 yrs |
| Proton Wira | 70.1% | 57,151 | 47,970 mi | 26 yrs |
| Proton Savvy | 68.9% | 46,706 | 36,490 mi | 20 yrs |
| Harley Davidson Flstf | 90.2% | 29,205 | 12,821 mi | 36 yrs |
Compared to the Proton Persona (66.0% pass rate) and the Proton Wira (70.1% pass rate), the Proton GEN-2 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Proton GEN-2 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Proton GEN-2Should you buy a used Proton GEN-2?
The Proton GEN-2 has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.5% across 59,272 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Proton GEN-2 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (2,238 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (2,173), and parking brake recording little or no effort (1,549). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Proton GEN-2 owner drives around 5,392 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Proton GEN-2 models stay on UK roads for around 22 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.