Proton SE Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Proton SE car check
Is the Proton SE reliable? We analysed 2,265 real MOT tests across 571 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Proton SE? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Proton SE 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 suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Proton SE.
Proton SE Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Proton SE. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Proton SE MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Proton SE to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Proton SE Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Proton SE fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Proton SE Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Proton SE owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Proton SE MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Proton SE year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 126 | 64.3% | 69,291 | 86,072 | 97,003 |
| 1993 | 960 | 66.4% | 60,823 | 77,180 | 94,532 |
| 1992 | 610 | 68.2% | 63,597 | 81,546 | 101,275 |
| 1991 | 430 | 68.4% | 64,080 | 84,303 | 103,708 |
| 1990 | 99 | 66.7% | 50,405 | 63,395 | 86,040 |
How Long Does a Proton SE Last?
Based on 571 Proton SE vehicles on UK roads.
Proton SE Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Proton SE 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 SE
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
68.4% MOT pass rate from 430 tests
64.3% MOT pass rate from 126 tests
The best year to buy a used Proton SE is 1991, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 68.4% across 430 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Proton SE Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton SE THIS CAR | 66.9% | 2,265 | 79,990 mi | 36 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 Sportage 1 CRDI | 80% | 2,798 | 91,452 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Proton Persona (66.0% pass rate) and the Proton GEN-2 (70.5% pass rate), the Proton SE sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Proton SE 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 SEShould you buy a used Proton SE?
The Proton SE has an overall MOT pass rate of 66.9% across 2,265 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Proton SE are constant velocity joint gaiter split (247 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (163), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (131). 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 SE owner drives around 3,897 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 SE models stay on UK roads for around 36 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.