1991 Talbot Express 1300 P — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 580 MOT tests analysed for the 1991 Talbot Express 1300 P, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.2% was below the average for cars of a similar age (78.6%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.8% | 132 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.0% | 93 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.3% | 89 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.7% | 39 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.0% | 35 |
| 6 | Suspension | 5.5% | 32 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 93 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 62 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 48 |
| 4 | Joints | 48 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 46 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 32 |
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 | 45.2% | 262 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.6% | 224 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 28.6% | 166 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.9% | 127 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.4% | 72 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 60 |
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 | 171 | 29.8% |
| 60-90k | 320 | 30.9% |
| 90-120k | 59 | 22.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 140 | 31.4% |
| 2022 | 125 | 28.0% |
| 2023 | 111 | 31.5% |
| 2024 | 104 | 32.7% |
| 2025 | 100 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 1991 Express 1300 P
Before buying a 1991 Talbot Express 1300 P, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 22.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (22.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (16.0% 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 (15.3% 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 1991 Talbot Express 1300 Ps pass their MOT?
70.2% of the 580 1991 Talbot Express 1300 P MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Talbot Express 1300 P?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.8% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (16.0%).
Does the 1991 Express 1300 P get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.8% in the 30-60k band to 22.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 580 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.