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Proton Compact Sprint Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Proton Compact Sprint reliable? We analysed 802 real MOT tests across 130 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 802 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
65.2%
Typical Mileage
65,038mi
Annual Mileage
5,800mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
28yrs

The Proton Compact Sprint 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 brake pipe excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Proton Compact Sprint.

Proton Compact Sprint Number Plates

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

Proton Compact Sprint MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

68%
2000
65.2%
1999
60.9%
1998

Proton Compact Sprint Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Steering rack gaiter split 104
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 75
Brake pipe excessively corroded 36
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 30
Registration plate lamp not working 29
position lamp(s) not working 27
Horn not working 26
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 26
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 26
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel 22

Proton Compact Sprint Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
2,901 mi/yr
Typical
5,800 mi/yr
Average
6,342 mi/yr
Heavy usage
8,796 mi/yr

Proton Compact Sprint MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2000 125 68.0% 51,817 65,964 84,326
1999 584 65.2% 44,822 62,670 80,929
1998 87 60.9% 56,081 79,888 89,074

How Long Does a Proton Compact Sprint Last?

Based on 130 Proton Compact Sprint vehicles on UK roads.

Average
9.4 years
Median
9.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
28 years

Proton Compact Sprint Mileage Distribution

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

Median
65,038 mi
75th Percentile
83,240 mi
95th Percentile
113,397 mi
Max Recorded
156,544 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Proton Compact Sprint

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

Best year
2000

68.0% MOT pass rate from 125 tests

Year to avoid
1998

60.9% MOT pass rate from 87 tests

The best year to buy a used Proton Compact Sprint is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 68.0% across 125 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.9% — 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 Sprint Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Proton Compact Sprint THIS CAR 65.2% 802 65,038 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
Harley-davidson Fxbb Street Bob 1745 20 90.8% 619 5,312 mi — yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Proton Compact Sprint?

The Proton Compact Sprint has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.2% across 802 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Proton Compact Sprint are steering rack gaiter split (104 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (75), and brake pipe excessively corroded (36). 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 Sprint owner drives around 5,800 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 Sprint 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.

Proton Compact Sprint — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Proton Compact Sprint reliable?
Based on 802 MOT tests, the Proton Compact Sprint has a 65.2% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Proton Compact Sprint?
The most common MOT failures are steering rack gaiter split, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and brake pipe excessively corroded. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Proton Compact Sprint do per year?
The typical Proton Compact Sprint does around 5,800 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Proton Compact Sprint last?
Most Proton Compact Sprint models stay on UK roads for around 28 years based on our analysis of 130 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Proton Compact Sprint?
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 Compact Sprint?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Proton Compact Sprint is 2000 with a 68.0% pass rate across 125 tests.