Proton Gl Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Proton Gl car check
Is the Proton Gl reliable? We analysed 5,105 real MOT tests across 1,264 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Proton Gl? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Proton Gl 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 steering rack gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Proton Gl.
Proton Gl Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Proton Gl. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Proton Gl MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Proton Gl to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Proton Gl Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Proton Gl fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Proton Gl Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Proton Gl owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Proton Gl MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Proton Gl year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 528 | 66.9% | 50,996 | 66,238 | 81,419 |
| 1995 | 318 | 63.5% | 56,848 | 72,867 | 91,235 |
| 1994 | 719 | 66.1% | 57,404 | 74,878 | 92,662 |
| 1993 | 850 | 67.3% | 55,705 | 78,664 | 98,225 |
| 1992 | 1,367 | 68.3% | 56,958 | 74,568 | 90,304 |
| 1991 | 1,021 | 66.5% | 58,592 | 78,879 | 98,753 |
| 1990 | 179 | 68.2% | 43,846 | 61,204 | 84,741 |
| 1989 | 87 | 69.0% | 48,645 | 64,364 | 97,952 |
How Long Does a Proton Gl Last?
Based on 1,264 Proton Gl vehicles on UK roads.
Proton Gl Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Proton Gl 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 Gl
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
69.0% MOT pass rate from 87 tests
63.5% MOT pass rate from 318 tests
The best year to buy a used Proton Gl is 1989, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 69.0% across 87 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Proton Gl Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton Gl THIS CAR | 67.0% | 5,105 | 74,578 mi | 37 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 |
| Skoda Kodiaq Sportline TSI S-a | 90.3% | 4,893 | 30,293 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Proton Persona (66.0% pass rate) and the Proton GEN-2 (70.5% pass rate), the Proton Gl sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Proton Gl 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 GlShould you buy a used Proton Gl?
The Proton Gl has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.0% across 5,105 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Proton Gl are constant velocity joint gaiter split (446 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (402), and steering rack gaiter split (328). 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 Gl owner drives around 3,996 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 Gl models stay on UK roads for around 37 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.