2011 Proton Gen/2 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 463 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Proton Gen/2, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 69.1% was below the average for cars of a similar age (78.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 37.0% in the 90-120k group versus 15.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 89 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.9% | 69 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.5% | 44 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.2% | 38 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 34 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.0% | 28 |
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 | 48 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 28 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 27 |
| 4 | Wipers | 26 |
| 5 | Joints | 23 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 21 |
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 | 37.4% | 173 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 28.1% | 130 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.4% | 122 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.3% | 117 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.8% | 73 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 44 |
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 | 32 | 15.6% |
| 30-60k | 174 | 27.0% |
| 60-90k | 163 | 35.0% |
| 90-120k | 73 | 37.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 140 | 34.3% |
| 2022 | 116 | 29.3% |
| 2023 | 90 | 33.3% |
| 2024 | 71 | 31.0% |
| 2025 | 46 | 19.6% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Gen/2
Before buying a 2011 Proton Gen/2, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 19.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (19.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.9% 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 (9.5% 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 2011 Proton Gen/2s pass their MOT?
69.1% of the 463 2011 Proton Gen/2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Proton Gen/2?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by brakes (14.9%).
Does the 2011 Gen/2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.6% in the 0-30k band to 37.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 463 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.