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P173 XAE

1997 Proton Compact

Green Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires12 Dec 2026
Tests35 (20 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate57.1%

Mileage

80,333 mi
Last recorded80,333 miles
Recorded on8 Dec 2025
Typical for 1997 Proton Compact64,857 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Proton
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP173 XAE
MakeProton
ModelCompact
Year1997
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,597cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

20 pass 15 fail
Pass 8 Dec 2025 80,333 miles

Nearside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Fail 8 Dec 2025 80,332 miles

Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 13 Dec 2024 79,344 miles

Front Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fuel cap/sealing device seal perishing

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 18 Oct 2024 79,341 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn trailing arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced floor (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (7.1.2 (e))

Offside Rear Brake cable insecure (1.1.15 (c))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn trailing arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Front Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fuel cap/sealing device ring perishing

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 25 Oct 2023 78,285 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 16 Oct 2023 78,276 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 25 Oct 2022 77,174 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 17 Oct 2022 77,169 miles

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor to sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength and both side front (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective and not part of mot, rear. (3.4 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 19 Oct 2021 75,660 miles
Fail 5 Oct 2021 75,651 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Pass 5 Oct 2020 74,446 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both sides rear (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear anti roll bar metal washer slightly corroded

Pass 10 Apr 2019 72,328 miles

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Fail 9 Apr 2019 72,328 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength x 2 patches (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Pass 29 Mar 2018 70,386 miles
Fail 20 Mar 2018 70,374 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush Rear, can get separate. (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 27 Mar 2017 69,158 miles

corrosion to underside

nearside front tyre wearing low

offside rear brake has a slight bind

oil residue on engine and gearbox

Fail 23 Mar 2017 69,124 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 18 Mar 2016 67,878 miles

engine oil leak

Fail 15 Mar 2016 67,866 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded floor (2.4.A.3)

engine oil leak

nearside wiper smears slightly

Pass 27 Mar 2015 66,634 miles

Offside Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 24 Mar 2015 66,620 miles

Nearside Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Offside Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 25 Mar 2014 65,018 miles
Pass 22 Mar 2013 63,277 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 21 Mar 2013 63,277 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 23 Mar 2012 61,893 miles
Fail 22 Mar 2012 61,893 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 17 Mar 2011 60,049 miles
Fail 17 Mar 2011 60,049 miles

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

brake fluid level low

Pass 24 Mar 2010 58,362 miles
Fail 24 Mar 2010 58,362 miles

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 23 Mar 2009 56,638 miles
Pass 28 Mar 2008 55,077 miles
Pass 16 Mar 2007 53,035 miles
Fail 15 Mar 2007 53,035 miles

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

brake fluid level low

srs/airbag light on

Pass 20 Mar 2006 51,158 miles

How Reliable is the Proton Compact?

Based on 17,101 MOT tests across 2,067 vehicles.

65.0%
Pass Rate
4,368
Miles/Year
29
Year Lifespan
2,067
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Steering rack gaiter split 1,657
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1,136
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 749
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 744
Brake pipe excessively corroded 701
Full Proton Compact reliability report

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P173 XAE is a 1997 Proton Compact in Green with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.1%.

Across all 1997 Proton Compact models, the average MOT pass rate is 63.4% with a typical mileage of 64,857 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Proton Compact fails its MOT is steering rack gaiter split, accounting for 1,657 recorded failures. If you're considering buying P173 XAE, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Proton Compact typically stays on UK roads for around 29 years. At 29 years old, this Proton Compact is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P173 XAE?

You can check the full history of P173 XAE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P173 XAE registered?

P173 XAE is a 1997 Proton Compact, first registered on 1 July 1997.

Is P173 XAE safe to buy?

The MOT history for P173 XAE shows 35 tests with a 57.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P173 XAE have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on P173 XAE. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.