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Proton 1.5 Gl Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Proton 1.5 Gl reliable? We analysed 10,810 real MOT tests across 2,271 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 10,810 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
67.9%
Typical Mileage
74,390mi
Annual Mileage
2,870mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
36yrs

The Proton 1.5 Gl is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include constant velocity joint gaiter split, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Proton 1.5 Gl.

Proton 1.5 Gl Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Proton 1.5 Gl. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Proton 1.5 Gl MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Proton 1.5 Gl to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

68.3%
1996
66.2%
1995
65.3%
1994
69.8%
1993
67.6%
1992
69%
1991
65.4%
1990
66.4%
1989

Proton 1.5 Gl Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Proton 1.5 Gl fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

constant velocity joint gaiter split 917
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 607
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 567
Brake pipe excessively corroded 469
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 355
Steering rack gaiter split 326
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 304
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 255
Registration plate lamp not working 182
position lamp(s) not working 162

Proton 1.5 Gl Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Proton 1.5 Gl owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
1,321 mi/yr
Typical
2,870 mi/yr
Average
3,864 mi/yr
Heavy usage
5,196 mi/yr

Proton 1.5 Gl MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Proton 1.5 Gl year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1996 300 68.3% 53,714 66,587 85,549
1995 653 66.2% 51,516 71,905 88,538
1994 1,630 65.3% 55,738 74,871 94,599
1993 2,642 69.8% 54,913 73,860 92,178
1992 3,045 67.6% 55,606 74,670 97,750
1991 1,856 69.0% 58,234 79,068 104,586
1990 474 65.4% 48,878 64,953 99,148
1989 128 66.4% 32,974 63,909 90,900

How Long Does a Proton 1.5 Gl Last?

Based on 2,271 Proton 1.5 Gl vehicles on UK roads.

Average
15.2 years
Median
15.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
36 years

Proton 1.5 Gl Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Proton 1.5 Gl MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
74,390 mi
75th Percentile
96,360 mi
95th Percentile
132,741 mi
Max Recorded
961,240 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Proton 1.5 Gl

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1993

69.8% MOT pass rate from 2,642 tests

Year to avoid
1994

65.3% MOT pass rate from 1,630 tests

The best year to buy a used Proton 1.5 Gl is 1993, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 69.8% across 2,642 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Proton 1.5 Gl Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Proton 1.5 Gl THIS CAR 67.9% 10,810 74,390 mi 36 yrs
Proton Persona 66% 104,196 68,588 mi 32 yrs
Proton GEN-2 70.5% 59,272 46,580 mi 22 yrs
Proton Wira 70.1% 57,151 47,970 mi 26 yrs
Ktm 250 Exc 80.1% 6,842 2,743 mi 24 yrs

Compared to the Proton Persona (66.0% pass rate) and the Proton GEN-2 (70.5% pass rate), the Proton 1.5 Gl sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Proton 1.5 Gl?

The Proton 1.5 Gl has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.9% across 10,810 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Proton 1.5 Gl are constant velocity joint gaiter split (917 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (607), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (567). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Proton 1.5 Gl owner drives around 2,870 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Proton 1.5 Gl models stay on UK roads for around 36 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Proton 1.5 Gl — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Proton 1.5 Gl reliable?
Based on 10,810 MOT tests, the Proton 1.5 Gl has a 67.9% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Proton 1.5 Gl?
The most common MOT failures are constant velocity joint gaiter split, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Proton 1.5 Gl do per year?
The typical Proton 1.5 Gl does around 2,870 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Proton 1.5 Gl last?
Most Proton 1.5 Gl models stay on UK roads for around 36 years based on our analysis of 2,271 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Proton 1.5 Gl?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Proton 1.5 Gl?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Proton 1.5 Gl is 1993 with a 69.8% pass rate across 2,642 tests.