1989 Talbot Express# — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,882 MOT tests, the 1989 Talbot Express# recorded a 66.2% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 21.3% of the time, so this is 12.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 27.0% of all tests — 10.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp alone was recorded 521 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 33.4% in the 30-60k band and 21.1% in the 150k+ band, a 12.4-point spread.
Split by fuel, petrol examples fail 2.0pp more often than diesel ones (34.6% vs 32.6%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 39.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 27.0% | 779 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.8% | 483 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.5% | 476 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.6% | 305 |
| 5 | Visibility | 10.1% | 290 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 136 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 521 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 447 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 435 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 327 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 234 |
| 6 | Wipers | 210 |
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 | 39.7% | 1,143 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.4% | 1,078 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 31.9% | 918 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 507 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.2% | 497 |
| 6 | Tyres | 14.8% | 427 |
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 | 404 | 33.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,261 | 31.9% |
| 90-120k | 946 | 37.4% |
| 120-150k | 208 | 33.2% |
| 150k+ | 38 | 21.1% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,676 | 34.6% |
| Diesel | 1,206 | 32.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 687 | 33.6% |
| 2022 | 635 | 34.3% |
| 2023 | 608 | 35.0% |
| 2024 | 488 | 31.4% |
| 2025 | 464 | 34.1% |
What to check before buying a 1989 Express#
On a 1989 Express#, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 27.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (27.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.8% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (16.5% 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+.
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 1989 Talbot Express#s pass their MOT?
66.2% of the 2,882 1989 Talbot Express# MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1989 Talbot Express#?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 27.0% of tests, followed by brakes (16.8%).
Does the 1989 Express# get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 33.4% in the 30-60k band to 21.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,882 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.