Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 Proton Impian?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2003 Proton Impian?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2003 Proton Impian?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2003 Proton Impian vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

30% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2003 Proton Impian reliable?

Based on MOT data from 383 vehicles, the 2003 Proton Impian has a first-time MOT pass rate of 70.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2003 Proton Impian?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2003 Proton Impian are: Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (66.2% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (63.1% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (59% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2003 Proton Impian?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Proton Impian (2003)

383 real MOT outcomes analysed • 70.1% first-time pass rate

2003 Proton Impian

CarHunch analysed 383 real MOT records for the 2003 Proton Impian. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 383 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2003 Proton Impian's 70.1% first-time pass rate trails the UK average of 80%, and nearly 30% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a significant concern for a nearly two-decade-old car. This suggests structural or safety issues beyond typical age-related wear, making it a riskier proposition than comparable vehicles from that era.

At 57,306 miles average, these Impians show relatively modest mileage for a 21-year-old car, yet they're still averaging 4.15 failures and 12.3 advisories per test, indicating persistent mechanical problems. Before purchasing one, prioritise a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on the braking system, suspension, and structural integrity—don't rely on MOT history alone to judge safety.

The 2003 Proton Impian has a below-average first-time pass rate (70.1% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

70.1%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

29.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.15

Over 13.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

53k

Middle half: 40k–70k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 12.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 383 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 383 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 66.2%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Tyre wear 63.1%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Suspension & steering 44.1%

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split · Offside Steering rack gaiter split

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Other issues 20.2%

Oil leak

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 383 Proton Impian cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Proton Impian

Based on MOT data from 383 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 29.8% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	379	70.2%	4.17

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,434 Proton Impian vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 35.2%

856

Blue 24.7%

601

Grey 14.8%

360

Red 10.4%

254

Gold 4.4%

106

Black 4.3%

105

Green 2.3%

White 2%

Maroon 1.9%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Proton Impian vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

53,337

typical

40,085

low mileage

70,301

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Proton Impian vehicles fall between 40,085 and 70,301 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 40,085 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 40,085–70,301 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Proton Impians sit.

⚠ Over 94,906 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2003 Proton Impian — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 6% of 2003 Proton Impians are still active.

Numbers are declining — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (6% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

13.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.15

Avg failures per vehicle

12.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Proton Impian: All Impian years → Which year to buy? →

2001 2002 2004 2005 2006 2007

Or browse all models: Proton →

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See how the 2003 Proton Impian stacks up against a rival.

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