1988 Talbot Express 1300 P — MOT failures & pass rate
349 MOT tests on the 1988 Talbot Express 1300 P are in this dataset, and 63.0% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (21.0% fail rate), the 1988 Express 1300 P comes out 16.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 31.2% of tests against 19.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 87 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 32.0% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 38.4% once past 90-120k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 39.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 31.2% | 109 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.2% | 67 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.5% | 54 |
| 4 | Suspension | 15.5% | 54 |
| 5 | Visibility | 12.6% | 44 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 87 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 64 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 62 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 39 |
| 5 | Joints | 35 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 35 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 39.0% | 136 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.8% | 132 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 30.4% | 106 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 16.9% | 59 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 52 |
| 6 | Tyres | 13.2% | 46 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 103 | 32.0% |
| 60-90k | 130 | 39.2% |
| 90-120k | 86 | 38.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88 | 34.1% |
| 2022 | 86 | 40.7% |
| 2023 | 73 | 39.7% |
| 2024 | 60 | 35.0% |
| 2025 | 42 | 33.3% |
What to check before buying a 1988 Express 1300 P
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 31.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (31.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (19.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Brakes (15.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1988 Talbot Express 1300 Ps pass their MOT?
63.0% of the 349 1988 Talbot Express 1300 P MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 37.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1988 Talbot Express 1300 P?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 31.2% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (19.2%).
Does the 1988 Express 1300 P get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.0% in the 30-60k band to 38.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 349 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.