Proton Sl (1994)

577 real MOT outcomes analysed • 12.3% first-time pass rate

1994 Proton Sl

CarHunch analysed 577 real MOT records for the 1994 Proton Sl. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 1994 Proton SL is a deeply unreliable proposition: only 12.3% pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, and nearly 1 in 100 have been flagged with a dangerous defect at some point. This is not a car to buy for dependability or safety.

At nearly 80,000 miles median, these vehicles have covered reasonable distance for their age, yet they still average 0.19 failures and 0.5 advisories per test—suggesting fundamental design or build issues rather than simple wear. If you're considering one, budget heavily for immediate remedial work and expect ongoing repair costs that will likely exceed the vehicle's value.

Below average reliability 67.7% below UK average
12.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
79,763
typical mileage
63,782–100,418 middle half
0.9%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.19
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1994 Proton Sl

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 Sl

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%) 576 12.3% 0.19
Diesel (0%) 1 0% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1994 Proton Sl 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.

63,782
low mileage
79,763
typical
100,418
high mileage

Half of all 1994 Proton Sl vehicles fall between 63,782 and 100,418 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.19
Avg failures per vehicle
0.5
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1994 Proton Sl

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 24.2%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 24.2%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 19.7%
    Oil leak
  • 15.2%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 13.6%
    Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated
  • 13.6%
    Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated
  • 12.1%
    Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
  • 12.1%
    Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1994. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Proton Sl?

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

UK

Other model years — Proton Sl:

1995 1996