Proton Persona Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Proton Persona car check
Is the Proton Persona reliable? We analysed 104,196 real MOT tests across 16,498 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Proton Persona? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Proton Persona 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 parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Proton Persona.
Proton Persona Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Proton Persona. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Proton Persona MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Proton Persona to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Proton Persona Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Proton Persona fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Proton Persona Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Proton Persona owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Proton Persona MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Proton Persona year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 147 | 78.2% | 31,478 | 51,477 | 88,150 |
| 2011 | 267 | 75.3% | 28,284 | 47,626 | 70,398 |
| 2010 | 240 | 75.0% | 26,654 | 38,433 | 58,171 |
| 2009 | 578 | 67.5% | 30,680 | 49,790 | 74,784 |
| 2008 | 589 | 70.3% | 27,846 | 46,930 | 67,890 |
| 2001 | 749 | 67.4% | 43,202 | 60,361 | 79,176 |
| 2000 | 4,621 | 66.6% | 41,679 | 57,938 | 77,334 |
| 1999 | 18,122 | 66.7% | 46,415 | 62,506 | 80,968 |
| 1998 | 20,194 | 65.9% | 49,524 | 65,077 | 82,814 |
| 1997 | 28,460 | 65.5% | 53,734 | 70,291 | 88,923 |
| 1996 | 10,586 | 66.3% | 55,376 | 73,922 | 92,726 |
| 1995 | 10,394 | 65.6% | 56,645 | 75,011 | 93,808 |
| 1994 | 8,111 | 64.3% | 59,156 | 78,329 | 98,594 |
| 1993 | 904 | 67.4% | 62,961 | 82,858 | 101,778 |
| 1992 | 73 | 71.2% | 60,156 | 102,762 | 121,450 |
| 1991 | 61 | 63.9% | 63,087 | 69,920 | 82,917 |
How Long Does a Proton Persona Last?
Based on 16,498 Proton Persona vehicles on UK roads.
Proton Persona Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Proton Persona 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 Persona
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
78.2% MOT pass rate from 147 tests
63.9% MOT pass rate from 61 tests
The best year to buy a used Proton Persona is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 78.2% across 147 tests. The 1991 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Proton Persona Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton Persona THIS CAR | 66.0% | 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 |
| Proton Savvy | 68.9% | 46,706 | 36,490 mi | 20 yrs |
| Hyundai Atoz + | 67.6% | 55,293 | 53,760 mi | 28 yrs |
Compared to the Proton GEN-2 (70.5% pass rate) and the Proton Wira (70.1% pass rate), the Proton Persona trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Proton Persona 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 PersonaShould you buy a used Proton Persona?
The Proton Persona has an overall MOT pass rate of 66.0% across 104,196 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Proton Persona are steering rack gaiter split (8,679 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (7,945), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (6,060). 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 Persona owner drives around 4,314 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 Persona models stay on UK roads for around 32 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.