At a Glance
Proton has 109 identified common problems across 10 models, with the Gen-2 being the most affected model and electrical the most common problem category. Based on 377K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we identify common car problems →
Below: per-model breakdowns of Proton common problems, MOT failure rates by category, pass-rate data, and repair patterns drawn from 377K DVSA MOT tests across 20 years. Click any model to see generation-specific issues, mileage-banded fault patterns, and the most common MOT failures recorded by UK testers.
MOT Tests & Failures by Model
Top Proton models by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that model's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Proton Common Problems by Model
Select a model to see problems by generation
Showing top 9 by MOT test volume — search to find any of 10 Proton models.
Persona
Most common: Brakes
Gen-2
Most common: Brakes
Wira
Most common: Brakes
Savvy
Most common: Brakes
Compact
Most common: Brakes
Satria
Most common: Brakes
Impian
Most common: Brakes
Jumbuck
Most common: Brakes
Saga
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Most Common Proton MOT Failures
Every reason Proton vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 13.90% |
| 2 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 7.58% |
| 3 | Stop lamp not working | 7.18% |
| 4 | Exhaust system fault | 5.54% |
| 5 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.41% |
| 6 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.07% |
| 7 | Front lamp not working | 4.79% |
| 8 | Tyre condition | 4.76% |
| 9 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.79% |
| 10 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 3.76% |
| 11 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.15% |
| 12 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.86% |
| 13 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.80% |
| 14 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.05% |
| 15 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.91% |
| 16 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.87% |
| 17 | Parking brake condition | 1.64% |
| 18 | Track rod end worn | 1.52% |
| 19 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.99% |
| 20 | Driveshaft fault | 0.97% |
| 21 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.94% |
| 22 | Rear lamp not working | 0.87% |
| 23 | Fog lamp not working | 0.85% |
| 24 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.77% |
| 25 | Steering rack fault | 0.71% |
| 26 | Position lamp not working | 0.68% |
| 27 | Rear suspension fault | 0.68% |
| 28 | Seat belt condition | 0.66% |
| 29 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.66% |
| 30 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.63% |
| 31 | Horn not working | 0.59% |
| 32 | Indicator fault | 0.53% |
| 33 | Chassis condition | 0.51% |
| 34 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.49% |
| 35 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.41% |
| 36 | Airbag warning light on | 0.37% |
| 37 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.37% |
| 38 | ABS fault | 0.32% |
| 39 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.32% |
| 40 | Headlamp fault | 0.31% |
| 41 | Front suspension fault | 0.28% |
| 42 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.28% |
| 43 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.27% |
| 44 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.26% |
| 45 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.26% |
| 46 | Electrical switch fault | 0.24% |
| 47 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.22% |
| 48 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.19% |
| 49 | Brake caliper fault | 0.18% |
| 50 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.17% |
| 51 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.16% |
| 52 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.16% |
| 53 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.16% |
| 54 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.15% |
| 55 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.15% |
| 56 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.15% |
| 57 | Brake fluid leak | 0.14% |
| 58 | Brake pedal fault | 0.13% |
| 59 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.13% |
| 60 | Steering free play excessive | 0.12% |
| 61 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.12% |
| 62 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.11% |
| 63 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.10% |
| 64 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.10% |
| 65 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.10% |
| 66 | Steering lock fault | 0.09% |
| 67 | Body security fault | 0.09% |
| 68 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.09% |
| 69 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.08% |
| 70 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.08% |
| 71 | Steering arm worn | 0.08% |
| 72 | Brake lever fault | 0.08% |
| 73 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.07% |
| 74 | Steering column fault | 0.07% |
| 75 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.07% |
| 76 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.07% |
| 77 | Engine oil leak | 0.07% |
| 78 | Steering operation fault | 0.07% |
| 79 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 80 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.06% |
| 81 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.06% |
| 82 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.06% |
| 83 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.05% |
| 84 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 85 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 86 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.05% |
| 87 | Front passenger door fault | 0.05% |
| 88 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.05% |
| 89 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 90 | Drag link end worn | 0.04% |
| 91 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 92 | Power steering ram fault | 0.04% |
| 93 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 94 | Suspension unit fault | 0.04% |
| 95 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.04% |
| 96 | Driver airbag fault | 0.03% |
| 97 | CV joint worn | 0.03% |
| 98 | Radius arm worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 99 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 100 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 101 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.03% |
| 102 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 103 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.02% |
| 104 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 105 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 106 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 107 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.01% |
| 108 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Steering drive system fault | 0.01% |
| 111 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 112 | Towbar fault | 0.01% |
| 113 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.01% |
| 114 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 115 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 116 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.01% |
| 117 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 119 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 122 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 124 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 126 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 130 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 131 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 134 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 137 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 139 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 141 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 142 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 144 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 146 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 148 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 156 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 157 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 158 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 159 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 161 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 163 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 165 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 166 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 168 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 171 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 174 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 175 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 177 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 179 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 181 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 183 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 184 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 185 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 186 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 187 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 187 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Proton MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for Proton, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Proton problems?
Based on analysis of 377K Proton MOT tests from DVSA data, Proton has 109 identified common problems across 10 models. The Proton Gen-2 has the most recorded problems. Electrical issues are the most common category.
Which Proton model has the most problems?
By total identified common problems, the Proton Gen-2 has the highest count with 38 problems. This is partly because it is one of the more popular Proton models on UK roads. See the models grid for a full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Proton?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Proton owners spot problems early. We review all submissions before they are published.
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