Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Proton Savvy?

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 2009 Proton Savvy?

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 2009 Proton Savvy?

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 2009 Proton Savvy vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

41% 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 2009 Proton Savvy reliable?

Based on MOT data from 314 vehicles, the 2009 Proton Savvy has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2009 Proton Savvy?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 Proton Savvy are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (42.6% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (39% of vehicles), Nearside Headlamp aim too low (35.2% 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 2009 Proton Savvy?

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 Savvy (2009)

314 real MOT outcomes analysed • 71.1% first-time pass rate

2009 Proton Savvy

CarHunch analysed 314 real MOT records for the 2009 Proton Savvy. 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 Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 314 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2009 Proton Savvy has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71.1%, which trails the UK average of 80% and suggests reliability concerns worth taking seriously. More worrying still is that 41.4% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above what you'd typically expect—this is a genuine buyer red flag.

These Savvys are averaging just 36,290 miles at test time, so mileage hasn't been an excuse for their struggles; the real issue is their design and build quality. With 4.13 failures per vehicle and 18.7 advisories, prospective buyers should budget for repairs and get a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic focusing on brake, electrical, and suspension systems.

The 2009 Proton Savvy has a below-average first-time pass rate (71.1% 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

71.1%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

41.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.13

Over 13.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

35k

Middle half: 25k–46k

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 18.7 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 314 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 314 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 42.6%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside 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.

Lighting 35.2%

Nearside Headlamp aim too low · Offside Headlamp aim too low

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Brake wear 28.3%

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material

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

Suspension & steering 23.6%

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil · Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Other issues 19.3%

Oil leak, but not excessive

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 314 Proton Savvy cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Proton Savvy

Based on MOT data from 314 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 41.4% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 3,301 Proton Savvy vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 23.8%

784

Blue 18%

595

Black 17.7%

585

Grey 14.5%

478

Silver 12.3%

407

Green 6.9%

228

Orange 6.8%

224

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Proton Savvy 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.

34,800

typical

25,484

low mileage

46,128

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Proton Savvy vehicles fall between 25,484 and 46,128 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 25,484 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.

✓ 25,484–46,128 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Proton Savvys sit.

⚠ Over 62,272 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Proton Savvy — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 16% of 2009 Proton Savvys are still active.

Numbers are declining — 49 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (16% 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

13.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.13

Avg failures per vehicle

18.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Buyer beware — pass it on