Talbot Sunbeam Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Talbot Sunbeam car check
Is the Talbot Sunbeam reliable? We analysed 5,538 real MOT tests across 814 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Talbot Sunbeam? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Talbot Sunbeam is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Talbot Sunbeam.
Talbot Sunbeam Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Talbot Sunbeam. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Talbot Sunbeam MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Talbot Sunbeam to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Talbot Sunbeam Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Talbot Sunbeam fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Talbot Sunbeam Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Talbot Sunbeam owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Talbot Sunbeam MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Talbot Sunbeam year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 715 | 83.4% | 51,228 | 62,220 | 71,932 |
| 1982 | 582 | 84.7% | 47,285 | 65,041 | 78,636 |
| 1981 | 889 | 82.3% | 37,526 | 63,246 | 83,783 |
| 1980 | 1,033 | 81.5% | 15,738 | 51,133 | 72,412 |
| 1979 | 505 | 81.2% | 24,262 | 42,814 | 65,232 |
| 1978 | 60 | 81.7% | 23,872 | 41,243 | 56,211 |
| 1968 | 222 | 84.2% | 16,902 | 48,917 | 69,722 |
| 1967 | 298 | 79.9% | 22,001 | 46,338 | 78,976 |
| 1966 | 173 | 83.8% | 20,746 | 38,197 | 52,590 |
| 1965 | 200 | 83.5% | 8,679 | 47,165 | 72,875 |
| 1964 | 136 | 80.9% | 12,834 | 45,414 | 73,159 |
| 1963 | 65 | 86.2% | 13,774 | 22,702 | 86,374 |
| 1962 | 61 | 77.0% | 17,950 | 56,599 | 76,425 |
How Long Does a Talbot Sunbeam Last?
Based on 814 Talbot Sunbeam vehicles on UK roads.
Talbot Sunbeam Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Talbot Sunbeam MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Talbot Sunbeam
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.2% MOT pass rate from 65 tests
77.0% MOT pass rate from 61 tests
The best year to buy a used Talbot Sunbeam is 1963, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.2% across 65 tests. The 1962 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Talbot Sunbeam Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talbot Sunbeam THIS CAR | 82.3% | 5,538 | 55,015 mi | 64 yrs |
| Talbot Express | 65.4% | 171,025 | 71,000 mi | 41 yrs |
| Talbot Express 1300 D | 67.8% | 18,667 | 70,636 mi | 38 yrs |
| Talbot Express 1300 P | 67% | 17,936 | 63,256 mi | 38 yrs |
| Fiat 126 | 69.7% | 7,746 | 32,858 mi | 53 yrs |
Compared to the Talbot Express (65.4% pass rate) and the Talbot Express 1300 D (67.8% pass rate), the Talbot Sunbeam outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Talbot Sunbeam you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Talbot SunbeamShould you buy a used Talbot Sunbeam?
The Talbot Sunbeam has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.3% across 5,538 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Talbot Sunbeam are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (130 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (117), and position lamp(s) not working (84). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Talbot Sunbeam owner drives around 322 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Talbot Sunbeam models stay on UK roads for around 64 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.