Proton Savvy (2012)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 61 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£1,900
£158/month
MOT Pass Rate
70%
Average
Road Tax
£170
Estimated/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 5-15
1149cc Petrol
Check Carefully
70% pass rate, £1,900/year to run. 12 points below average.
Check a specific Proton Savvy
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Estimated CO2 band
Higher estimate due to low pass rate
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
Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data.
70% of MOT tests on Proton Savvys from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 61 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 51,334 miles.
Got a Proton Savvy you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
51,334
Average miles
88,800
Expected for age
The average 2012 Proton Savvy had 51,334 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
Looking at a specific Proton Savvy?
Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
Best Year to Buy?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2008 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 67%, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 59%. The 2012 scores 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.
Proton Savvy by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
Check a Specific Proton Savvy
Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.
Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.
About the 2012 Proton Savvy
The 2012 Proton Savvy is a city car. Our records list a 1149cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 61 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 6% of 2012 models for MOT pass rate.
With an average of 51,334 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Proton Savvy owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2012 Proton Savvy Fuel Costs
The modest 1149cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 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 Savvy?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,900 (£158/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 70% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.
Proton Savvy Reliability Trend
The Proton Savvy has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.
Buying a Used 2012 Proton Savvy
At 14 years old, the Proton Savvy 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 2008 model has the highest pass rate at 67%. Note: with only 61 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.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Rust and Corrosion
Watch outAt 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 outRubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 Savvy 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 Savvy(2012) | 70% | £1,175 | £170 | Grp 5-15 | £1,900 |
| Ford Fiesta(2014) | 79% | £1,175 | £20 | Grp 1-8 | £1,750-£150 |
| Vauxhall Corsa(2014) | 76% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 8-20 | £2,153+£253 |
| Ford Focus(2013) | 78% | £1,398 | £275 | Grp 12-25 | £2,228+£328 |
| Nissan Qashqai(2013) | 72% | £1,398 | £275 | Grp 12-25 | £2,228+£328 |
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 Savvy
Is the 2012 Proton Savvy reliable?
Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of MOT tests on 2012 Proton Savvys ended in a pass, from 61 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2012 Proton Savvy cost to run?
Our estimate is £1,900 a year (£158 a month): £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.
What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Proton Savvy?
70% of 61 MOT tests on the 2012 Proton Savvy ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 613th of 650 models first registered in 2012 (bottom 6%).
Which year Proton Savvy has the best MOT pass rate?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2008 Proton Savvy has the highest MOT pass rate at 67% and the 2006 the lowest at 59%. 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 Savvy?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Proton Savvy is 51,334 miles, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
Related Proton Models
Explore other Proton cars or similar models in the same category.
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Proton Savvy.
Cheapest Cars to Run in 2026: Running Costs From DVSA MOT Data
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Insure in the UK: Insurance Groups 1-10
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in the UK: A Complete Cost Breakdown
11 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
ReliabilityFord Puma Common Problems: 7 Issues That Could Cost £1,500+ (2026)
13 min read
Check a specific Proton Savvy
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a Proton Savvy? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
With outstanding finance included