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L159 ORA

1994 Talbot Express

White Diesel 2500cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Mar 2027
Tests29 (16 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate55.2%

Mileage

167,018 mi
Last recorded167,018 miles
Recorded on3 Mar 2026
Typical for 1994 Talbot Express65,242 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Talbot
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL159 ORA
MakeTalbot
ModelExpress
Year1994
ColourWhite
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,500cc

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

16 pass 13 fail
Pass 3 Mar 2026 167,018 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Outline marker lamp light intensity obviously reduced (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 31 Jan 2025 165,796 miles

cab area undersealed

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Position lamp slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

Pass 26 Jun 2024 164,840 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Electrical wiring inadequately secured (4.11 (a) (i))

Gearbox mt worn

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

both front struts/hubs heavily corroded

play in steering rack inner joints

Fail 25 Jun 2024 164,840 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Electrical wiring inadequately secured (4.11 (a) (i))

Gearbox mt worn

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

both front struts/hubs heavily corroded

play in steering rack inner joints

Fail 31 May 2024 164,839 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Emissions unable to be completed exhaust missing (8.2.2.2 (e))

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced at jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Upper Outline marker lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Power steering malfunctioning steering rough /jerking when turning (2.1.5 (a))

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

Exhaust fumes causing a danger to health of persons on board front and central exhaust missing and rear section incomplete (6.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded and likely to fail (1.1.12 (f) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded and likely to fail (1.1.12 (f) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Exhaust silencer likely to become detached silencer ( incomplete) (8.1.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Electrical wiring inadequately secured various wires in engine bay (4.11 (a) (i))

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. 27% recorded (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Gearbox mounting defective ()

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

both front strut /hub assemblies heavily corroded

both headlamps have water inside units

car underside coated in underseal

Pass 31 Jul 2023 163,519 miles

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Standard fitment seat belt missing 2nd row belt removed - (rear facing sofa-bed seat) ()

Offside Front Lower Ball joint mounting bolt - spring washer detached

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing also tyre is 19 years old (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

reverse light inop - not testable for this age of vehicle

Fail 26 Jul 2023 163,513 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Seat belt damaged 2nd row (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear Seat belt buckle missing 2nd row (7.1.2 (d))

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

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Lower Ball joint mounting bolt - spring washer detached

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing also tyre is 19 years old (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

reverse light inop - not testable for this age of vehicle

Pass 6 Jun 2019 161,842 miles

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

Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged Bulges in tread but not dangerous (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 6 Jun 2019 161,842 miles

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged Bulges in tread but not dangerous (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 29 May 2017 160,379 miles

Driver's door catch deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. 28% (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front Inner brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis leg coated in a substance (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear tyre wearing on outer edge

Offside Front brake pad wear indicator broken

Offside Front inner wing corroded

Rear exhaust silencer rubbers perished

Fail 22 May 2017 160,356 miles

Brake load sensing valve seized and linkage (3.6.E.3)

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded both hoses (3.6.B.4e)

Driver's door catch deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. 28% (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front Inner brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis leg coated in a substance (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear tyre wearing on outer edge

Offside Front brake pad wear indicator broken

Offside Front inner wing corroded

Rear exhaust silencer rubbers perished

Pass 4 Jun 2015 158,904 miles

Coolant leak

Gearbox mounting defective

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

nearsiode front sill corroded

Fail 21 May 2015 158,902 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Coolant leak

Gearbox mounting defective

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

nearsiode front sill corroded

Pass 27 May 2014 156,898 miles
Pass 22 May 2013 156,666 miles
Pass 26 Apr 2012 155,443 miles

Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Fail 25 Apr 2012 155,443 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 29 Apr 2011 154,936 miles
Fail 29 Apr 2011 154,934 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 15 Apr 2010 152,674 miles
Fail 14 Apr 2010 152,674 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade missing (8.2.2)

Offside Windscreen wiper blade missing (8.2.2)

Pass 3 Apr 2009 150,690 miles
Fail 27 Mar 2009 150,690 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 27 Mar 2008 148,581 miles
Fail 12 Feb 2008 148,577 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Rear Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

water tank insecure

Pass 27 Dec 2006 148,000 miles

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

Fail 14 Dec 2006 147,953 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

Pass 7 Dec 2005 140,034 miles
Fail 1 Dec 2005 140,028 miles

Front front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b) DANGEROUS

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

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

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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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

L159 ORA is a 1994 Talbot Express in White with a 2,500cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.2%.

Across all 1994 Talbot Express models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.3% with a typical mileage of 65,242 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 L159 ORA, 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 32 years old, this Talbot Express is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of L159 ORA?

You can check the full history of L159 ORA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L159 ORA registered?

L159 ORA is a 1994 Talbot Express, first registered on 25 May 1994.

Is L159 ORA safe to buy?

The MOT history for L159 ORA shows 29 tests with a 55.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L159 ORA 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 L159 ORA. 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.