Used car guide

1991 Talbot Express: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1991 Talbot Expresss, from 827 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

827MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 1991 cars: 71%)
2,300typical miles a year
4.1×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1991 Talbot Expresss than on all cars registered in 1991.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints4.1× usual
    Talbot Express
    19% All 1991 cars
    4.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 1.9% of all 1991 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.

  • Wheel bearings2.6× usual
    Talbot Express
    21.5% All 1991 cars
    8.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.2% of all 1991 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.

  • Headlights3.6× usual
    Talbot Express
    14.4% All 1991 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.1%, against 3% of all 1991 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Brake discs2.5× usual
    Talbot Express
    15% All 1991 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.3% of all 1991 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes1.9× usual
    Talbot Express
    20.2% All 1991 cars
    10.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.4% of all 1991 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

By area

The share of 1991 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
    48% 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
    46% 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
    32% 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
    24% 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
    22% 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
    21% 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%
1990724Lights and electrics 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1991 Talbot Expresss registered in 1991. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score