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J243 ECA

1991 Talbot Express

White Petrol 1971cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Jun 2027
Tests35 (20 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate57.1%

Mileage

139,031 mi
Last recorded139,031 miles
Recorded on18 Jun 2026
Typical for 1991 Talbot Express71,041 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Talbot
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ243 ECA
MakeTalbot
ModelExpress
Year1991
ColourWhite
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,971cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

20 pass 15 fail
Pass 18 Jun 2026 139,031 miles
Fail 17 Jun 2026 139,031 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Pass 11 Jun 2025 137,861 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Fail 10 Jun 2025 137,861 miles

Central Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake performance unable to be tested LEAKING BRAKE PIPE (1.2.1 (g))

Offside Front Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system UNDER BONNET (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 6 Jun 2024 134,831 miles

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Rear Service brake imbalance requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Fail 6 Jun 2024 134,831 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Rear Service brake imbalance requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Pass 22 Jun 2023 134,113 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively Both sides (1.2.1 (e))

Fail 20 Jun 2023 134,113 miles

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 30 Jun 2022 134,030 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 30 Jun 2022 134,030 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Jun 2021 133,956 miles

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Rear Gearbox mounting defective

Fail 2 Jun 2021 133,956 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake lining(s) incorrectly mounted (1.1.13 (c)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Wheel bearing so rough it is likely to overheat or break up (5.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Rear Gearbox mounting defective

Pass 22 Jun 2020 133,502 miles
Pass 13 Nov 2019 133,482 miles
Fail 18 Sep 2019 133,464 miles

Nearside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Fail 23 Apr 2019 133,464 miles

Front Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Nearside Front Inner Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting wheel arch (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill multiple points of corrosion (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting inner wheel arch (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Outer Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced wheel arch sharp edge (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Outer Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting multiple points of corrosion across sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Central Towbar is so weakened by corrosion within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached (6.1.6 (i) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Towbar is so weakened by corrosion within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached (6.1.6 (i) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Towbar is so weakened by corrosion within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached (6.1.6 (i) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security multiple other points of corrosion through out van (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 3 May 2018 132,886 miles
Fail 26 Apr 2018 132,885 miles

Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill area (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Fail 23 Mar 2018 132,879 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired sill patch needs continuous welding (5.2.6)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner sill (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner wing (2.4.A.3)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Brake pipe inadequately supported across rear axle (3.6.B.1) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe slightly corroded Front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside front inner wing beginning to corrode

Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Rear inner wing seams beginning to corrode

Pass 31 Jul 2015 132,429 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded along axle beam (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded along axle beam (3.6.B.2c)

oil leak

Fail 31 Jul 2015 132,429 miles

Fuel pipe leaking at pump (7.2.3)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded along axle beam (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded along axle beam (3.6.B.2c)

oil leak

Pass 6 Aug 2014 125,744 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Pass 21 Aug 2013 116,420 miles

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Pass 20 Aug 2012 107,943 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Fail 16 Aug 2012 107,943 miles

Offside Front Vehicle structure has an inadequate repair, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 19 Aug 2011 94,135 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 12 Aug 2010 84,635 miles
Pass 17 Aug 2009 71,619 miles
Fail 17 Aug 2009 71,619 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 20 Aug 2008 64,786 miles
Fail 20 Aug 2008 64,785 miles

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Pass 23 Jul 2007 51,296 miles
Fail 21 Aug 2006 48,315 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 21 Aug 2006 48,315 miles
Pass 18 Nov 2005 45,924 miles

How Reliable is the Talbot Express?

Based on 171,025 MOT tests across 8,371 vehicles.

65.4%
Pass Rate
1,204
Miles/Year
41
Year Lifespan
8,371
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 6,812
Brake pipe excessively corroded 6,026
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 4,909
Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 4,861
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 4,297
Full Talbot Express reliability report

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J243 ECA is a 1991 Talbot Express in White with a 1,971cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.1%.

Across all 1991 Talbot Express models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.3% with a typical mileage of 71,041 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Talbot Express fails its MOT is suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 6,812 recorded failures. If you're considering buying J243 ECA, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Talbot Express typically stays on UK roads for around 41 years. At 35 years old, this Talbot Express is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of J243 ECA?

You can check the full history of J243 ECA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J243 ECA registered?

J243 ECA is a 1991 Talbot Express, first registered on 5 October 1991.

Is J243 ECA safe to buy?

The MOT history for J243 ECA shows 35 tests with a 57.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J243 ECA have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on J243 ECA. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.