Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2002 Proton Wira?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2002 Proton Wira?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2002 Proton Wira?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2002 Proton Wira reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,289 vehicles, the 2002 Proton Wira has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2002 Proton Wira?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2002 Proton Wira are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (45.5% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (44.9% of vehicles), Oil leak (41% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2002 Proton Wira?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Proton Wira (2002)

1,289 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.4% first-time pass rate

2002 Proton Wira

CarHunch analysed 1,289 real MOT records for the 2002 Proton Wira. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2002 Proton Wira falls short of the UK average MOT pass rate at 74.4% versus 80%, suggesting these cars are prone to developing faults as they age. With 15.8% of vehicles ever presenting dangerous defects, reliability concerns are real enough to factor into your decision—this is a car that needs proper maintenance to stay safe.

At 46,000 miles median, these Wiras have covered typical mileage for a 22-year-old car, but the average failure count of 2.81 per vehicle signals structural wear rather than isolated issues. Before buying, insist on a pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks suspension, brakes, and electrical systems, where the 7.3 average advisories suggest recurring problems cluster.

The 2002 Proton Wira has a below-average first-time pass rate (74.4% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

74.4%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

15.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.81

Over 10 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

46k

Middle half: 35k–61k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 7.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,289 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 1,289 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 45.5%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 41%

Oil leak · Horn not working

Suspension & steering 34.5%

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split · Offside Steering rack gaiter split · Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Brake wear 26.8%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Parking brake lever has no reserve travel

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Exhaust & emissions 19.8%

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,289 Proton Wira cars.

Before you buy a 2002 Proton Wira

Based on MOT data from 1,289 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 15.8% 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 →
📄 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 Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	1,273	74.3%	2.83

Colour Breakdown

Based on 5,733 Proton Wira vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 39.5%

2,262

Green 21.4%

1,224

Gold 10.5%

602

Silver 9%

516

Red 7.1%

409

Grey 5%

284

White 3.4%

194

Purple 3.4%

193

Maroon 0.9%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2002 Proton Wira vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

46,115

typical

34,816

low mileage

61,420

high mileage

Half of all 2002 Proton Wira vehicles fall between 34,816 and 61,420 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 34,816 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 34,816–61,420 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2002 Proton Wiras sit.

⚠ Over 82,917 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2002 Proton Wira — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 6% of 2002 Proton Wiras are still active.

Numbers are declining — 21 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (6% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.81

Avg failures per vehicle

7.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Proton Wira: All Wira years → Which year to buy? →

2000 2001 2003 2004

Or browse all models: Proton →

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See how the 2002 Proton Wira stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on