Proton Compact Duo Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Proton Compact Duo car check
Is the Proton Compact Duo reliable? We analysed 705 real MOT tests across 152 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Proton Compact Duo? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Proton Compact Duo is below 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 brake pipe excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Proton Compact Duo.
Proton Compact Duo Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Proton Compact Duo. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Proton Compact Duo MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Proton Compact Duo to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Proton Compact Duo Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Proton Compact Duo fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Proton Compact Duo Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Proton Compact Duo owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Proton Compact Duo MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Proton Compact Duo year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 297 | 64.3% | 46,567 | 58,746 | 75,819 |
| 1998 | 388 | 60.8% | 55,128 | 74,418 | 90,149 |
How Long Does a Proton Compact Duo Last?
Based on 152 Proton Compact Duo vehicles on UK roads.
Proton Compact Duo Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Proton Compact Duo 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 Duo
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
64.3% MOT pass rate from 297 tests
60.8% MOT pass rate from 388 tests
The best year to buy a used Proton Compact Duo is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 64.3% across 297 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.8% — 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 Duo Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton Compact Duo THIS CAR | 62.8% | 705 | 67,728 mi | 28 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 Rio Le | 66.6% | 512 | 49,767 mi | 22 yrs |
Compared to the Proton Persona (66.0% pass rate) and the Proton GEN-2 (70.5% pass rate), the Proton Compact Duo trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Proton Compact Duo 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 Compact DuoShould you buy a used Proton Compact Duo?
The Proton Compact Duo has an overall MOT pass rate of 62.8% across 705 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Proton Compact Duo are steering rack gaiter split (94 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (56), and brake pipe excessively corroded (43). 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 Duo owner drives around 6,249 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 Duo models stay on UK roads for around 28 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.