Proton Persona Compact Glsi (1997)
1997 Proton Persona Compact Glsi
CarHunch analysed 182 real MOT records for the 1997 Proton Persona Compact Glsi. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1997 Proton Persona Compact GLSi is a serious reliability concern, with only 36.3% passing their MOT first time against the UK average of 80%—nearly two-thirds of these cars fail their test. The good news is that dangerous defects are rare at 5.5%, so you're unlikely to encounter a genuinely unsafe vehicle, though you should still budget for repairs.
At just under 70,000 miles on the median, these cars are running relatively low mileage for their age, yet they're still averaging 0.88 failures and 1.4 advisories per test—pointing to age-related wear rather than abuse or neglect. If you're considering one, expect to factor in immediate repair costs and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on brake, suspension, and electrical systems, where wear-out typically accumulates on cars this old.
What to check before buying a 1997 Proton Persona Compact Glsi
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Proton Persona Compact Glsi
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 181 | 36.1% | 0.88 |
| Other (1%) | 1 | 80% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1997 Proton Persona Compact Glsi vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1997 Proton Persona Compact Glsi vehicles fall between 53,324 and 81,990 miles.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Proton Persona Compact Glsi?
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