Proton Persona Compact Lsi (1998)

142 real MOT outcomes analysed • 37% first-time pass rate

1998 Proton Persona Compact Lsi

CarHunch analysed 142 real MOT records for the 1998 Proton Persona Compact Lsi. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1998 Proton Persona is significantly less reliable than the typical UK car—only 37% pass MOT first time versus the 80% national average—which means you should expect regular visits to the garage if you buy one. The dangerous defect rate of 7.8% is mercifully low, but the median CarHunch score of 50 (out of presumably 100) confirms this is a genuinely aging and worn vehicle.

At nearly 70,000 miles on the clock, these cars are showing their age predictably: the average of 0.91 failures and 1.4 advisories per MOT suggests structural and wear-related problems are creeping in across most examples. Before purchasing, budget for at least one or two significant repairs in the first year, and get a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on suspension, brakes, and exhaust systems.

Below average reliability 43% below UK average
37%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
69,983
typical mileage
46,020–81,827 middle half
7.8%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.91
avg MOT failures per car
over 3.2 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1998 Proton Persona Compact Lsi

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 Lsi

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Proton Persona Compact Lsi 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.

46,020
low mileage
69,983
typical
81,827
high mileage

Half of all 1998 Proton Persona Compact Lsi vehicles fall between 46,020 and 81,827 miles.

MOT History Averages

3.2
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.91
Avg failures per vehicle
1.4
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Proton Persona Compact Lsi?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Proton Persona Compact Lsi:

1996 1997 1999