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Proton Gls Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Proton Gls reliable? We analysed 3,834 real MOT tests across 963 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,834 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
68.2%
Typical Mileage
72,367mi
Annual Mileage
4,136mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
37yrs

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

Proton Gls Number Plates

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

Proton Gls MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

71.3%
1996
69.8%
1995
67.9%
1994
67.8%
1993
66.4%
1992
68.5%
1991
61.2%
1990
75.2%
1989

Proton Gls Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

constant velocity joint gaiter split 382
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 345
Brake pipe excessively corroded 201
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 156
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 131
Registration plate lamp not working 108
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 96
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 92
position lamp(s) not working 76
Steering rack gaiter split 75

Proton Gls Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
1,953 mi/yr
Typical
4,136 mi/yr
Average
5,035 mi/yr
Heavy usage
6,890 mi/yr

Proton Gls MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1996 355 71.3% 52,710 68,175 88,749
1995 242 69.8% 46,788 63,030 83,012
1994 645 67.9% 56,342 73,792 93,154
1993 1,015 67.8% 55,428 72,433 93,819
1992 755 66.4% 57,683 78,192 95,967
1991 574 68.5% 60,722 77,610 103,843
1990 98 61.2% 45,780 59,918 81,645
1989 101 75.2% 42,327 52,767 69,873

How Long Does a Proton Gls Last?

Based on 963 Proton Gls vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.3 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
37 years

Proton Gls Mileage Distribution

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

Median
72,367 mi
75th Percentile
93,398 mi
95th Percentile
129,199 mi
Max Recorded
990,663 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Proton Gls

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

Best year
1989

75.2% MOT pass rate from 101 tests

Year to avoid
1990

61.2% MOT pass rate from 98 tests

The best year to buy a used Proton Gls is 1989, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 75.2% across 101 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Proton Gls Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Proton Gls THIS CAR 68.2% 3,834 72,367 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
Harley-davidson XL 883 N Iron 18 90.2% 2,010 4,854 mi — yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Proton Gls?

The Proton Gls has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.2% across 3,834 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Proton Gls are constant velocity joint gaiter split (382 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (345), and brake pipe excessively corroded (201). 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 Gls owner drives around 4,136 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 Gls 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.

Proton Gls — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Proton Gls reliable?
Based on 3,834 MOT tests, the Proton Gls has a 68.2% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Proton Gls?
The most common MOT failures are constant velocity joint 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 Gls do per year?
The typical Proton Gls does around 4,136 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Proton Gls last?
Most Proton Gls models stay on UK roads for around 37 years based on our analysis of 963 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Proton Gls?
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 Gls?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Proton Gls is 1989 with a 75.2% pass rate across 101 tests.