Used car guide

1990 Talbot Express: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1990 Talbot Expresss, from 724 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

724MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 1990 cars: 73%)
2,300typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for wheel bearings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1990 Talbot Expresss than on all cars registered in 1990.

  • Wheel bearings2.8× usual
    Talbot Express
    26.2% All 1990 cars
    9.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.3% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints4.3× usual
    Talbot Express
    15.5% All 1990 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 1.3% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Braking performance2.7× usual
    Talbot Express
    18.6% All 1990 cars
    7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, against 3.5% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Brake discs2.7× usual
    Talbot Express
    15.6% All 1990 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Exhaust system2.2× usual
    Talbot Express
    17.5% All 1990 cars
    8.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 1.9% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

By area

The share of 1990 Talbot Express MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    50% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    47% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    38% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    21% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Rust and bodywork
    20% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Talbot Express?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
1994670Lights and electrics 48%
1993936Lights and electrics 50%
1992915Lights and electrics 49%
1991827Lights and electrics 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1990 Talbot Expresss registered in 1990. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score