Proton Persona Glsi Auto (1997)

180 real MOT outcomes analysed • 32.5% first-time pass rate

1997 Proton Persona Glsi Auto

CarHunch analysed 180 real MOT records for the 1997 Proton Persona Glsi Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1997 Proton Persona has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 32.5%, nearly half the UK average of 80%, which is a serious red flag for reliability. The good news is that dangerous defects are rare at 2.8%, so while these cars fail often, they're not typically unsafe—just worn out.

These examples have covered around 61,760 miles on the median, which is reasonable for a 27-year-old car, but the average failure count of 0.54 per vehicle suggests most that pass have already had their main issues fixed. Before buying one, have a pre-purchase inspection done by a mechanic who knows older Asian imports, because you're looking at a vehicle that will need work fairly regularly to keep it roadworthy.

Below average reliability 47.5% below UK average
32.5%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
61,760
typical mileage
47,186–79,470 middle half
2.8%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.54
avg MOT failures per car
over 2.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1997 Proton Persona Glsi Auto

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 Glsi Auto

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%) 179 32.6% 0.55
Diesel (1%) 1 0% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1997 Proton Persona Glsi Auto 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.

47,186
low mileage
61,760
typical
79,470
high mileage

Half of all 1997 Proton Persona Glsi Auto vehicles fall between 47,186 and 79,470 miles.

MOT History Averages

2.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.54
Avg failures per vehicle
1.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Proton Persona Glsi Auto?

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

UK

Other model years — Proton Persona Glsi Auto:

1994 1995 1996