Talbot Express

What fails its inspection

Great Britain's MOT record for the 1993 2.5 diesel. 202 of 693 tests failed, 29%.

Better than 17% of 1993 cars. The typical one fails 23%, across 93 models with enough tests behind them to say.

The defects inspectors cite

• The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
• A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
• Exhaust system leaking or insecure
• A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
• Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake

Where it stands out against its peers

• Lights and electrics: failed more often than 92% of 1993 cars — 66% of its 202 failed tests, where an ordinary 1993 car has 43%.

Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.

NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.

Before you buy one

Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.

• Brakes — 48% of its failures
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
• Suspension — 27% of its failures
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
• Steering — 11% of its failures
• Lights and electrics — 66% of its failures
  • A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
  • A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• Body and structure — 46% of its failures
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
• Visibility — 20% of its failures

When it starts failing

Most of these pass at every mileage on record.

650 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.