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L278 LRB

1993 Talbot Express

White Petrol 1971cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Mar 2027
Tests37 (21 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate56.8%

Mileage

120,974 mi
Last recorded120,974 miles
Recorded on17 Mar 2026
Typical for 1993 Talbot Express66,330 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL278 LRB
MakeTalbot
ModelExpress
Year1993
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

21 pass 16 fail
Pass 17 Mar 2026 120,974 miles

continental headlamps fitted, beam image corrected with tape

Fail 3 Mar 2026 120,972 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength leaf spring front mounting (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength leaf spring front mounting (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength leaf spring rear mounting (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Corrosion nearside front outrigger outside of prescribed areas

Pass 7 Jan 2025 118,106 miles

Nearside Headlamp reflector slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp reflector slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 3 Jan 2025 118,102 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Headlamp reflector slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp reflector slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 5 Dec 2023 113,236 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated lower swivel (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Fail 22 Nov 2023 113,227 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength leaf spring front mounting (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated lower swivel (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 23 Nov 2022 108,877 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Fail 18 Nov 2022 108,873 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Pass 10 Nov 2021 104,537 miles

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

Fail 4 Nov 2021 104,533 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect possibly due to condensation (4.1.2 (c))

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

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Pass 19 Nov 2020 101,753 miles

Both front tyres approx 2.7mm tread

Corrosion nearside front inner wheelarch outside of prescribed areas

Nearside headlamp slightly poor beam image possibly due to condensation

Poor repair nearside front jacking point outside of prescribed areas

Fail 11 Nov 2020 101,751 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush Play between bolt and spacer tube, lower bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Both front tyres approx 2.7mm tread

Both headlamps light output slightly reduced, possibly due to condesation

Corrosion nearside front inner wheelarch outside of prescribed areas

Poor repair nearside front jacking point outside of prescribed areas

Pass 21 Nov 2019 99,672 miles

Both headlamps light output slightly reduced, possibly due to condensation

Corrosion near Nearside front jacking point outside of prescribed areas

Exhaust mounting rubbers deteriorated, exhaust still secure

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

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

Offside Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage Reservoir hose (2.1.5 (a))

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

Fail 20 Nov 2019 99,672 miles

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Inner wheelarch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Both headlamps light output slightly reduced, possibly due to condensation

Corrosion near Nearside front jacking point outside of prescribed areas

Exhaust mounting rubbers deteriorated, exhaust still secure

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

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

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

Offside Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage Reservoir hose (2.1.5 (a))

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

Pass 21 Nov 2018 97,919 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Pass 17 Nov 2017 94,914 miles

Both rear shock absorbers upper bushes deteriorated

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Fail 25 Oct 2017 94,911 miles

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Silencer cracked (7.1.2)

Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush Upper bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush Upper bush (2.7.4)

Pass 21 Oct 2016 90,457 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Offside Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

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

Fail 19 Oct 2016 90,451 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Offside Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

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

Pass 16 Oct 2015 87,176 miles

Items removed from drivers view prior to test

Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Slight play within steering rack inner joint

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

Fail 16 Oct 2015 87,176 miles

Items removed from drivers view prior to test

Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Slight play within steering rack inner joint

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

Pass 4 Sep 2014 82,274 miles

Exhaust rubbers deteriorated

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

Fail 26 Aug 2014 82,267 miles

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

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Exhaust rubbers deteriorated

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 12 Sep 2013 79,169 miles

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

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

Oil leak

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

slight play in rear wheel bearings

Fail 10 Sep 2013 79,169 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Headlamp aim not tested (1.8.A.1c)

Nearside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Front constant velocity joint is insecure (2.5.C.1b)

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3) DANGEROUS

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

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

Oil leak

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

slight play in rear wheel bearings

Pass 22 Feb 2013 77,754 miles

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

rear wheels corroded

Fail 12 Feb 2013 77,715 miles

Hazard warning switch insecure (1.4.B.1d)

Nearside Outer Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

rear wheels corroded

Pass 16 Jan 2012 76,460 miles

Offside Rear Leaf spring anchor bracket corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.B.6d)

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

rear wheels corroded

Pass 16 Feb 2011 74,827 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

corrosion nsf outrigger

Fail 14 Feb 2011 74,827 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

corrosion nsf outrigger

Fail 23 Apr 2010 73,822 miles

Centre Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)

grease aroung o/s cv boot but no split found?

slight play both rear wheel bearings

various corrosion but not near component mountings

Pass 23 Apr 2010 73,822 miles

grease aroung o/s cv boot but no split found?

slight play both rear wheel bearings

various corrosion but not near component mountings

Pass 12 Aug 2009 71,998 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 3 Sep 2008 69,113 miles

N/S ACROSS AXLE BRAKE PIPE HAS SURFACE CORROSSION

SLIGHT PLAY IN BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS

SLIGHT PLAY IN STEERING RACK - IMPROVES WITH POWER STEERING PRESSURE

Fail 27 Aug 2008 69,036 miles

Offside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

N/S ACROSS AXLE BRAKE PIPE HAS SURFACE CORROSSION

SLIGHT PLAY IN BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS

SLIGHT PLAY IN STEERING RACK - IMPROVES WITH POWER STEERING PRESSURE

Pass 21 Aug 2007 64,956 miles
Pass 5 Sep 2006 59,244 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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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

L278 LRB is a 1993 Talbot Express in White with a 1,971cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 37 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.8%.

Across all 1993 Talbot Express models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.9% with a typical mileage of 66,330 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 L278 LRB, 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 33 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 L278 LRB?

You can check the full history of L278 LRB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L278 LRB registered?

L278 LRB is a 1993 Talbot Express, first registered on 1 August 1993.

Is L278 LRB safe to buy?

The MOT history for L278 LRB shows 37 tests with a 56.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L278 LRB 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 L278 LRB. 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.