Proton SE (1991)
1991 Proton SE
CarHunch analysed 1,735 real MOT records for the 1991 Proton SE. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1991 Proton SE has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 4.2%, catastrophically below the UK average of 80%—this car is fundamentally unreliable and unsafe for regular use. With 0.2% of vehicles showing dangerous defects, the safety risk is minimal, but the sheer failure rate makes this model effectively non-roadworthy.
At a median mileage of 85,961 miles for a 33-year-old car, these vehicles have been driven hard and are simply worn out. With an average of 0.08 failures and 0.1 advisories per test, most don't fail on one or two fixable items—they pile up multiple problems that make repair uneconomical. If you're considering one, treat it as a classic restoration project, not a daily driver.
What to check before buying a 1991 Proton SE
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 SE
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1991 Proton SE 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 1991 Proton SE vehicles fall between 68,069 and 100,435 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1991 Proton SE
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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15.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13.7%
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split
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13.1%
Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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12.6%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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12%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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11.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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11.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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11.5%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Proton SE?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.