Proton Gen-2 (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 38 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,353

£196/month

MOT Pass Rate

58%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£200

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1332cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

58% pass rate, £2,353/year to run. 24 points below average.

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Petrol1332cc14 years old38 tests72k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1332cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,353

Per month£196/mo

Per week£45/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

58% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 24 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Proton brand average of 70%.

58% of MOT tests on Proton Gen-2s from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 38 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 71,891 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models647th of 650(bottom 1%)

Rank among Proton models28th of 28(bottom 4%)

vs average of all models-24%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average-20%(78% avg)

vs Proton average-12%(70% avg)

Mileage Analysis

71,891

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Proton Gen-2 had 71,891 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2010 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 76%, while the 2007 model has the lowest at 62%. The 2012 scores 58%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Proton Gen-2 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2012	58%	38	71,891 mi
2011	65%	124	79,942 mi
2010	76%	174	70,888 mi
2009	66%	137	71,070 mi
2008	67%	173	68,736 mi
2007	62%	223	73,654 mi
2006	65%	96	64,926 mi
2005	66%	62	69,422 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2014 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

79%

+21%

Vauxhall Corsa

2014 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

76%

+18%

Ford Focus

2013 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

78%

+20%

Nissan Qashqai

2013 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,228/year

72%

+14%

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About the 2012 Proton Gen-2

The 2012 Proton Gen-2 is a small family car. Our records list a 1332cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 38 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 1% of 2012 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 71,891 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Proton Gen-2 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2012 Proton Gen-2 Fuel Costs

The 1332cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2012 Proton Gen-2?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,353 (£196/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 58% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Proton Gen-2 Reliability Trend

Newer Proton Gen-2s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 5 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2012 Proton Gen-2

At 14 years old, the Proton Gen-2 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2010 model has the highest pass rate at 76%. Note: with only 38 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 58% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2012 Proton Gen-2 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Proton Gen-2(2012)	58%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,353
Ford Fiesta(2014)	79%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750-£603
Vauxhall Corsa(2014)	76%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£200
Ford Focus(2013)	78%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£125
Nissan Qashqai(2013)	72%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£125

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2012 Proton Gen-2

Is the 2012 Proton Gen-2 reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 58% of MOT tests on 2012 Proton Gen-2s ended in a pass, from 38 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 24 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Proton Gen-2 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,353 a year (£196 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Proton Gen-2?

58% of 38 MOT tests on the 2012 Proton Gen-2 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 647th of 650 models first registered in 2012 (bottom 1%).

Which year Proton Gen-2 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2010 Proton Gen-2 has the highest MOT pass rate at 76% and the 2007 the lowest at 62%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2012 Proton Gen-2?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Proton Gen-2 is 71,891 miles, which is in line with the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.