CarCostCheck

PROTON COMPACT (1999)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 57 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,897

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

93%

Excellent

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1834cc Petrol

Great Choice

93% pass rate, £1897/year to run. 11 points above average.

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Petrol1834cc27 years old57 tests89k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1834cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1834cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200
Total per year£1,897
Per month£158/mo
Per week£36/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

93% MOT pass rate(Excellent)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the PROTON brand average of 70%.

At 27 years old, 93% of PROTON COMPACTs from 1999 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 57 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 89,215 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 cars23th of 375(top 6%)
Rank among PROTON models1st of 28(top 4%)
vs national average+11%(82% avg)
vs 1999 cars average+18%(75% avg)
vs PROTON average+23%(70% avg)

Mileage Analysis

89,215

Average miles

vs

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1999 PROTON COMPACT has 89,215 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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About the 1999 PROTON COMPACT

The 1999 PROTON COMPACT is a family car with a 1834cc petrol engine. 57 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 6% of all 1999 cars for reliability.

With an average of 89,215 miles at 27 years old, PROTON COMPACT owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1999 PROTON COMPACT Fuel Costs

The 1834cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1999 PROTON COMPACT?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,897 158/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Buying a Used 1999 PROTON COMPACT

At 27 years old, the PROTON COMPACT is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 57 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1999 PROTON COMPACT's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 27 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 89k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1999 PROTON COMPACT stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
PROTON COMPACT(1999)93%£1327£315Grp 18-32£1897
FORD FOCUS(2001)68%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027+£130
MAZDA MX-5(1999)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£70
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)71%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017+£120
HONDA CIVIC(2001)70%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£70

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Proton Models

Explore other Proton cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Proton Compact.

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