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Proton 15 Sl Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Proton 15 Sl car check

Is the Proton 15 Sl reliable? We analysed 298 real MOT tests across 104 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 298 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
69.1%
Typical Mileage
68,391mi
Annual Mileage
3,356mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
32yrs

The Proton 15 Sl is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include constant velocity joint gaiter split, brake pipe excessively corroded and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Proton 15 Sl.

Proton 15 Sl Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Proton 15 Sl. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Proton 15 Sl MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Proton 15 Sl to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

66.3%
1996
74.3%
1995
66.3%
1994

Proton 15 Sl Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Proton 15 Sl fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

constant velocity joint gaiter split 27
Brake pipe excessively corroded 24
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 22
Headlamp insecure 9
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 9
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 8
Horn not working 7
Steering rack gaiter split 7
Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated 7
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 6

Proton 15 Sl Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Proton 15 Sl owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
1,866 mi/yr
Typical
3,356 mi/yr
Average
4,688 mi/yr
Heavy usage
6,355 mi/yr

Proton 15 Sl MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Proton 15 Sl year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1996 83 66.3% 56,336 69,162 95,591
1995 113 74.3% 51,024 57,994 81,704
1994 95 66.3% 58,034 70,598 85,012

How Long Does a Proton 15 Sl Last?

Based on 104 Proton 15 Sl vehicles on UK roads.

Average
10.6 years
Median
10.5 years
Estimated max lifespan
32 years

Proton 15 Sl Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Proton 15 Sl MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
68,391 mi
75th Percentile
85,324 mi
95th Percentile
119,483 mi
Max Recorded
424,212 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Proton 15 Sl

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

Best year
1995

74.3% MOT pass rate from 113 tests

Year to avoid
1994

66.3% MOT pass rate from 95 tests

The best year to buy a used Proton 15 Sl is 1995, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.3% across 113 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Proton 15 Sl Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Proton 15 Sl THIS CAR 69.1% 298 68,391 mi 32 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
Kia Ceed 2 Ecodynamics CRDI89 84.8% 415 107,406 mi — yrs

Compared to the Proton Persona (66.0% pass rate) and the Proton GEN-2 (70.5% pass rate), the Proton 15 Sl sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Proton 15 Sl?

The Proton 15 Sl has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.1% across 298 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Proton 15 Sl are constant velocity joint gaiter split (27 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (24), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (22). 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 Sl owner drives around 3,356 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 Sl models stay on UK roads for around 32 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 15 Sl — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Proton 15 Sl reliable?
Based on 298 MOT tests, the Proton 15 Sl has a 69.1% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Proton 15 Sl?
The most common MOT failures are constant velocity joint gaiter split, brake pipe excessively corroded, and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Proton 15 Sl do per year?
The typical Proton 15 Sl does around 3,356 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Proton 15 Sl last?
Most Proton 15 Sl models stay on UK roads for around 32 years based on our analysis of 104 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Proton 15 Sl?
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 15 Sl?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Proton 15 Sl is 1995 with a 74.3% pass rate across 113 tests.