Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 Proton Gen 2?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2008 Proton Gen 2?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2008 Proton Gen 2?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2008 Proton Gen 2 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

37% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2008 Proton Gen 2 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 700 vehicles, the 2008 Proton Gen 2 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2008 Proton Gen 2?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2008 Proton Gen 2 are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (51.6% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (49.7% of vehicles), Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (45% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2008 Proton Gen 2?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Proton Gen 2 (2008)

700 real MOT outcomes analysed • 71.6% first-time pass rate

2008 Proton Gen 2

CarHunch analysed 700 real MOT records for the 2008 Proton Gen 2. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2008 Proton Gen-2 is noticeably less reliable than the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 71.6% against the national 80%—and that's before you consider that 37% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects during their MOT history, a serious concern for any used buyer. This isn't a vehicle you'd want to buy without a full pre-purchase inspection.

With an average mileage of around 50,000 km for a 16-year-old car, these Gen-2s have been driven moderately, yet they're still racking up 3.64 failures and 15.2 advisories per test, suggesting persistent mechanical and wear-related issues rather than just age. Before making an offer, have a trusted mechanic check the braking system, steering, and suspension components specifically—these older Protons demand close scrutiny.

The 2008 Proton Gen 2 has a below-average first-time pass rate (71.6% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

71.6%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

37%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.64

Over 12.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

47k

Middle half: 35k–60k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 15.2 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 700 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 700 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 51.6%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 45%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Parking brake lever has little reserve travel · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 30.8%

Oil leak, but not excessive

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 700 Proton Gen 2 cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Proton Gen 2

Based on MOT data from 700 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 37% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (97%)	677	71.8%	3.66

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,763 Proton Gen 2 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 22.7%

1,080

Black 15.9%

757

Red 14.9%

712

Silver 12.5%

593

Grey 10.5%

500

Orange 10.4%

494

Gold 5.8%

278

Purple 4.9%

232

Yellow 1.7%

White 0.5%

Beige 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Proton Gen 2 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

47,439

typical

35,245

low mileage

60,433

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Proton Gen 2 vehicles fall between 35,245 and 60,433 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 35,245 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 35,245–60,433 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Proton Gen 2s sit.

⚠ Over 81,584 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Proton Gen 2 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 9% of 2008 Proton Gen 2s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 59 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (9% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

12.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.64

Avg failures per vehicle

15.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Proton Gen 2: All Gen 2 years → Which year to buy? →

2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010 2011

Or browse all models: Proton →

Compare with another model

See how the 2008 Proton Gen 2 stacks up against a rival.

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