Proton 15 SE Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Proton 15 SE car check
Is the Proton 15 SE reliable? We analysed 676 real MOT tests across 249 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Proton 15 SE? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Proton 15 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 15 SE.
Proton 15 SE Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Proton 15 SE. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Proton 15 SE MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Proton 15 SE to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Proton 15 SE Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Proton 15 SE fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Proton 15 SE Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Proton 15 SE owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Proton 15 SE MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Proton 15 SE year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 255 | 65.5% | 58,722 | 80,923 | 97,814 |
| 1992 | 224 | 68.8% | 66,590 | 81,928 | 102,664 |
| 1991 | 113 | 73.5% | 64,957 | 87,163 | 103,999 |
How Long Does a Proton 15 SE Last?
Based on 249 Proton 15 SE vehicles on UK roads.
Proton 15 SE Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Proton 15 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 15 SE
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
73.5% MOT pass rate from 113 tests
65.5% MOT pass rate from 255 tests
The best year to buy a used Proton 15 SE is 1991, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.5% across 113 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Proton 15 SE Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton 15 SE THIS CAR | 68.3% | 676 | 82,158 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 |
| Jaguar F-pace R-dynamic S PHEV AWD A | 88.4% | 636 | 34,814 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Proton Persona (66.0% pass rate) and the Proton GEN-2 (70.5% pass rate), the Proton 15 SE sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Proton 15 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 15 SEShould you buy a used Proton 15 SE?
The Proton 15 SE has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.3% across 676 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Proton 15 SE are constant velocity joint gaiter split (66 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (41), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (38). 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 15 SE owner drives around 3,316 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 15 SE 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.