Proton

Proton Persona Xli (1996)

708 real MOT outcomes analysed • 68.9% first-time pass rate

1996 Proton Persona Xli

CarHunch has 708 1996 Proton Persona Xli vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

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No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1996 Proton Persona Xli doesn't appear in DVLA light-vehicle MOT records — it may be exempt, registered as a different vehicle class, or an import not subject to UK MOT testing. We don't have reliability stats for this specific model, but you can browse other Proton vehicles below.

Proton Persona — all years → Best year to buy a Persona → Browse all Proton models →
No MOT data — worth knowing

Got a specific Proton Persona Xli you're checking out?

The real detail is in the individual vehicle report — MOT history, AI Hunches, mileage timeline, and defect patterns for that specific reg.

UK

The 1996 Proton Persona XLi is a serious reliability concern: only 12.1% pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, and nearly nine in ten of these cars are failing inspection. While dangerous defects are rare at 2.1%, the sheer scale of failures means most buyers should expect significant remedial work before getting one roadworthy.

At nearly 79,000 miles on average, these are well-used machines, yet they're generating a quarter of a failure per vehicle and nearly half an advisory per test—suggesting age-related wear is catching up fast regardless of mileage. Unless you're buying one as a project car or parts donor, look elsewhere; the cost and hassle of bringing this model up to MOT standard will likely exceed its value.

MOT statistics not available

We have 708 1996 Proton Persona Xli vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

There are a few reasons this can happen:

  • Heavy commercial vehicle — trucks, buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes are tested under the DVSA annual HGV/PSV regime, which uses a separate database not included in our data source
  • Imported vehicles — vehicles registered abroad and recently brought to the UK may have no UK MOT history yet
  • MOT-exempt — vehicles manufactured before 1986 qualify under the 40-year rolling exemption; some specialist and agricultural vehicles are also exempt
  • Never used on public roads — some vehicles are registered but kept off-road and have never required an MOT
Check on the official DVSA service →

Before you buy a 1996 Proton Persona Xli

Based on MOT data from 708 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 2.1% 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 ClickMechanic
  • 📄 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 carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,070 Proton Persona Xli vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Green 21.4%
873
Silver 16.2%
660
Red 16.2%
658
Blue 16%
653
Grey 13.1%
533
White 10%
409
Purple 4.6%
188
Maroon 1.7%
70
Black 0.4%
17
Gold 0.2%
9
Other model years — Proton Persona Xli: All Persona Xli years → Which year to buy? →
1994 1995 1997 1998 1999

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Compare with another model

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