Proton 1.5 SE Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Proton 1.5 SE car check
Is the Proton 1.5 SE reliable? We analysed 11,736 real MOT tests across 2,497 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Proton 1.5 SE? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Proton 1.5 SE is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include constant velocity joint gaiter split, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Proton 1.5 SE.
Proton 1.5 SE Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Proton 1.5 SE. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Proton 1.5 SE MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Proton 1.5 SE to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Proton 1.5 SE Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Proton 1.5 SE fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Proton 1.5 SE Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Proton 1.5 SE owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Proton 1.5 SE MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Proton 1.5 SE year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 438 | 71.5% | 55,044 | 69,754 | 95,293 |
| 1993 | 5,189 | 69.6% | 52,752 | 71,455 | 91,502 |
| 1992 | 3,118 | 69.7% | 53,547 | 72,578 | 93,189 |
| 1991 | 2,192 | 70.5% | 54,304 | 75,364 | 97,049 |
| 1990 | 544 | 66.9% | 41,300 | 60,462 | 84,776 |
| 1989 | 122 | 68.0% | 52,835 | 71,128 | 100,690 |
How Long Does a Proton 1.5 SE Last?
Based on 2,497 Proton 1.5 SE vehicles on UK roads.
Proton 1.5 SE Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Proton 1.5 SE MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Proton 1.5 SE
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
71.5% MOT pass rate from 438 tests
66.9% MOT pass rate from 544 tests
The best year to buy a used Proton 1.5 SE is 1994, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 71.5% across 438 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.9% — 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 SE 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 SE THIS CAR | 69.8% | 11,736 | 72,046 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 |
| Ducati M696 + | 87.5% | 7,326 | 8,853 mi | 18 yrs |
Compared to the Proton Persona (66.0% pass rate) and the Proton GEN-2 (70.5% pass rate), the Proton 1.5 SE sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Proton 1.5 SE you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Proton 1.5 SEShould you buy a used Proton 1.5 SE?
The Proton 1.5 SE has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.8% across 11,736 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Proton 1.5 SE are constant velocity joint gaiter split (1,027 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (604), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (561). 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 SE owner drives around 2,644 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 SE 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.