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Proton 13 Gl Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Proton 13 Gl car check

Is the Proton 13 Gl reliable? We analysed 618 real MOT tests across 221 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 618 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
62.9%
Typical Mileage
81,237mi
Annual Mileage
3,952mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
35yrs

The Proton 13 Gl is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include constant velocity joint gaiter split, steering rack gaiter split and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Proton 13 Gl.

Proton 13 Gl Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Proton 13 Gl. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Proton 13 Gl MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Proton 13 Gl to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

62.8%
1996
68.8%
1995
61.7%
1994
60%
1993
63.5%
1992
64.7%
1991

Proton 13 Gl Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Proton 13 Gl fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

constant velocity joint gaiter split 66
Steering rack gaiter split 59
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 54
Brake pipe excessively corroded 40
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 31
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 30
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 24
Registration plate lamp not working 18
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 16
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 15

Proton 13 Gl Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Proton 13 Gl owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
2,059 mi/yr
Typical
3,952 mi/yr
Average
5,229 mi/yr
Heavy usage
6,121 mi/yr

Proton 13 Gl MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Proton 13 Gl year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1996 78 62.8% 55,729 73,830 88,233
1995 64 68.8% 64,005 77,368 87,622
1994 60 61.7% 70,306 94,198 103,838
1993 100 60.0% 65,136 84,537 104,176
1992 178 63.5% 56,634 72,581 93,750
1991 102 64.7% 82,298 96,408 119,302

How Long Does a Proton 13 Gl Last?

Based on 221 Proton 13 Gl vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.8 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
35 years

Proton 13 Gl Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Proton 13 Gl MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
81,237 mi
75th Percentile
99,811 mi
95th Percentile
136,952 mi
Max Recorded
868,785 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Proton 13 Gl

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

Best year
1995

68.8% MOT pass rate from 64 tests

Year to avoid
1993

60.0% MOT pass rate from 100 tests

The best year to buy a used Proton 13 Gl is 1995, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 68.8% across 64 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Proton 13 Gl Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Proton 13 Gl THIS CAR 62.9% 618 81,237 mi 35 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
Mercedes-benz A 180 SE 96.4% 223 39,572 mi — yrs

Compared to the Proton Persona (66.0% pass rate) and the Proton GEN-2 (70.5% pass rate), the Proton 13 Gl trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Proton 13 Gl?

The Proton 13 Gl has an overall MOT pass rate of 62.9% across 618 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.

The most common problems on the Proton 13 Gl are constant velocity joint gaiter split (66 recorded failures), steering rack gaiter split (59), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (54). 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 13 Gl owner drives around 3,952 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 13 Gl models stay on UK roads for around 35 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 13 Gl — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Proton 13 Gl reliable?
Based on 618 MOT tests, the Proton 13 Gl has a 62.9% pass rate — below average, so factor in potential repair costs.
What are the common problems on a Proton 13 Gl?
The most common MOT failures are constant velocity joint gaiter split, steering rack gaiter split, and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Proton 13 Gl do per year?
The typical Proton 13 Gl does around 3,952 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Proton 13 Gl last?
Most Proton 13 Gl models stay on UK roads for around 35 years based on our analysis of 221 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Proton 13 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 13 Gl?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Proton 13 Gl is 1995 with a 68.8% pass rate across 64 tests.