Proton Compact Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Proton Compact car check
Is the Proton Compact reliable? We analysed 17,101 real MOT tests across 2,067 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Proton Compact? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Proton Compact is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include steering rack gaiter split, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Proton Compact.
Proton Compact Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Proton Compact. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Proton Compact MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Proton Compact to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Proton Compact Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Proton Compact fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Proton Compact Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Proton Compact owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Proton Compact MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Proton Compact year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 115 | 67.0% | 53,533 | 63,909 | 77,050 |
| 2000 | 1,584 | 65.8% | 43,922 | 58,022 | 76,580 |
| 1999 | 7,425 | 65.4% | 45,945 | 62,718 | 81,138 |
| 1998 | 4,911 | 65.2% | 45,762 | 61,911 | 81,486 |
| 1997 | 2,921 | 63.4% | 48,880 | 64,857 | 81,311 |
| 1996 | 122 | 62.3% | 49,450 | 59,912 | 81,388 |
How Long Does a Proton Compact Last?
Based on 2,067 Proton Compact vehicles on UK roads.
Proton Compact Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Proton Compact 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 Compact
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
67.0% MOT pass rate from 115 tests
62.3% MOT pass rate from 122 tests
The best year to buy a used Proton Compact is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 67.0% across 115 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Proton Compact Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton Compact THIS CAR | 65.0% | 17,101 | 62,426 mi | 29 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 M900 | 85% | 8,481 | 14,634 mi | 33 yrs |
Compared to the Proton Persona (66.0% pass rate) and the Proton GEN-2 (70.5% pass rate), the Proton Compact trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Proton Compact 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 CompactShould you buy a used Proton Compact?
The Proton Compact has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.0% across 17,101 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Proton Compact are steering rack gaiter split (1,657 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,136), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (749). 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 Compact owner drives around 4,368 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 Compact models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.