Proton Persona Compact (1999)
1999 Proton Persona Compact
CarHunch analysed 719 real MOT records for the 1999 Proton Persona Compact. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1999 Proton Persona Compact is a genuinely unreliable proposition: only 68.2% pass MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, and nearly one in five of these vehicles (17.8%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point. For a car this age, that failure rate is a significant red flag that should deter most buyers unless you're handy with repairs.
These Personas are running at typical mileage for their age (median 60,869 miles), but they're failing hard when tested, averaging 3.15 failures and 7.5 advisories per vehicle. If you're considering one, budget for at least £500–£1,000 in near-term repairs and have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic you trust before handing over any money.
What to check before buying a 1999 Proton Persona Compact
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
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 (100%) | 718 | 68.2% | 3.15 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 71.4% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1999 Proton Persona Compact 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 1999 Proton Persona Compact vehicles fall between 45,033 and 76,288 miles.
1999 Proton Persona Compact — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (7% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Proton Persona Compact?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.