Proton in Australia, briefly
Protons went on sale here in 1995. Wikipedia's sales table runs to 2016, with about 34,985 sold and a peak of 3,182 in 1998. That's why you can still spot them, and why they aren't in every workshop.
GoAuto reported in December 2014 that the range was cut to the Exora, Suprima S and Preve, with the Gen2, Persona and S16 dropped once stock ran out. The Preve left the lineup in 2015. Proton has since spoken about a return, in April 2019 and again in August 2024, so ask what support exists today before you count on it.
What's under your Proton
| Engine | What that means for the mechanic | |
|---|---|---|
| Jumbuck ute | 1.5-litre Mitsubishi 4G15 | An older Mitsubishi engine, built on the Wira and Persona underpinnings |
| Gen-2 | Proton's CamPro, first used in this car in 2004 | Proton's own engine, so check parts early |
| Preve | 1.6-litre CamPro, turbo CFE from November 2013 | Turbo cars came only with a CVT (a gearbox with a belt, not fixed gears) |
| Exora | 1.6-litre CamPro, plain or turbo CFE | A people mover: check which engine and gearbox yours has |
Getting parts for a Proton
This is what makes a Proton job bigger or smaller. Filters, brake pads, belts and oil are usually easy. Body parts, trim and model-specific sensors can take more finding.
A good mechanic will look at aftermarket suppliers, wreckers and sometimes overseas sources. Ask where a part's coming from, what warranty it has, and how long it'll take. Geely now holds 49.9% of Proton, but that doesn't mean a parts network here for older cars.
If a Jumbuck is your work ute, have a plan for days it's off the road. It was Proton's top seller here, but production finished in 2009.
Servicing, and the warranty that's gone
Follow your owner's manual. RACV's general rule is a minor service every 10,000 km to 15,000 km or 12 months, whichever comes first, with major services every 30,000 to 45,000 km.
At this age, ask about the gearbox fluid and the timing components. If your engine has a timing belt, don't stretch the book's interval. Ask which yours has, and when it was last done.
The five-year warranty on late cars has run out by now, so there's no warranty reason to stay with anyone. What still protects you is the consumer law: repair work must be done with due care and skill. Ask for a written estimate before work starts.
Who suits a Proton
You want a mechanic with patience, good parts contacts and no fuss about a rare badge. A Jumbuck may feel familiar to someone who's worked on older Mitsubishis, and a turbo Preve or Exora needs someone who's comfortable with a CVT.
Tell us the model and year, and what it's doing. A local mechanic who specialises in your car.
What you can do on your Proton
You can
- Check the oil and the coolant level in its see-through tank on a cold car. Never open the cap on a hot engine.
- Check tyre pressures and top up the washer fluid.
- Keep the old part if a mechanic replaces it: it helps match the next one.
Leave to the mechanic
- Timing belt and water pump work.
- CVT fluid and gearbox faults.
- Tracking down model-specific parts.
Where we'd start with a Proton
We'd pull out the service book and work out what's been done. Then we'd ask the mechanic about parts first, not last, and get a written estimate before anything comes off the car. If it's a good runner, we'd keep it going. A sound Proton with a good mechanic behind it can have plenty of life left.