1989 Talbot Express 1300 P — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 591 MOT tests analysed for the 1989 Talbot Express 1300 P, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.0% was below the average for cars of a similar age (79.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 37.5% in the 90-120k group versus 26.0% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 25.9% | 153 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.9% | 106 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.2% | 90 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.0% | 59 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.1% | 54 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 35 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 94 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 85 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 66 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 60 |
| 5 | Joints | 57 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 51 |
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 | 40.9% | 242 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.9% | 218 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 35.7% | 211 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.1% | 119 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 92 |
| 6 | Tyres | 13.9% | 82 |
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 | 123 | 26.0% |
| 60-90k | 316 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 128 | 37.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 137 | 26.3% |
| 2022 | 139 | 33.8% |
| 2023 | 112 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 106 | 33.0% |
| 2025 | 97 | 32.0% |
What to check before buying a 1989 Express 1300 P
Before buying a 1989 Talbot Express 1300 P, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 25.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (25.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (17.9% 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 (15.2% 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 1989 Talbot Express 1300 Ps pass their MOT?
70.0% of the 591 1989 Talbot Express 1300 P MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1989 Talbot Express 1300 P?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 25.9% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (17.9%).
Does the 1989 Express 1300 P get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.0% in the 30-60k band to 37.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 591 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.