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E481 TFD

1988 Talbot Express

Green Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Jun 2027
Tests32 (19 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate59.4%

Mileage

86,909 mi
Last recorded86,909 miles
Recorded on18 Jun 2026
Typical for 1988 Talbot Express76,257 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Talbot
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationE481 TFD
MakeTalbot
ModelExpress
Year1988
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,796cc

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

19 pass 13 fail
Pass 18 Jun 2026 86,909 miles

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

Wheels sticking out past wheel arches

Fail 16 Jun 2026 86,908 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Exhaust emissions - engine idle speed too high (8.2.1.2 (e))

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

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

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

Wheels sticking out past wheel arches

Pass 12 Jun 2025 85,012 miles

Brake pedal has slight travel

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Wheels sticking out past arches

Pass 7 Jun 2024 83,234 miles
Pass 5 Jun 2023 81,076 miles

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 25 May 2023 81,076 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested (1.2.1 (g))

Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

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

Horn sound not in accordance with requirements (7.7 (c))

Nearside Front Integral body structure inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced inner wheel arch (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Spring hanger (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired Back panel (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced inner wheel arch (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced Under sill (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired Back panel (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

White light facing rearward

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 2 Feb 2021 77,709 miles

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

Spare tyre defective flat

Pass 30 Jul 2020 76,767 miles
Fail 29 Jul 2020 76,765 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Fail 26 Apr 2019 76,752 miles

Emissions not tested due to exhaust leak (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (8.1.1 (a))

Front Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Nearside 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))

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced door step corrode and holed (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Registration plate insecure (0.1 (a))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected inner wing (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Integral body structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering inner and outer rear wheel arch to chassic (6.1.1 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords cuts (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Offside outer sill corroded but not holed

clutch slipping

Pass 4 May 2018 74,531 miles

STONE CHIP TO CENTRE OF WINDSCREEN

VEHICLE CLUTCH BADLY WORN AND SLIPPING

Fail 26 Apr 2018 74,514 miles

Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings O/S UNDER FRONT ARCH CLOSE TO BOTTOM ARM MOUNTING SECTION (6.1.B.2)

Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings O/S UNDER FRONT STEP UNDER VEHICLE O/S (6.1.B.2)

Exhaust system not adequately supported EXHAUST INSECURE AT DOWN PIPE TO CENTRE PIPE JOIN (7.1.1)

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

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3) DANGEROUS

STONE CHIP TO CENTRE OF WINDSCREEN

VEHICLE CLUTCH BADLY WORN AND SLIPPING

Pass 7 Mar 2017 72,716 miles
Pass 6 Apr 2016 69,806 miles
Fail 30 Mar 2016 69,801 miles

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

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

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

Pass 18 Sep 2014 65,020 miles

Corrossion on bonnet, wheel arches and doors covered with tape

Fail 17 Sep 2014 65,020 miles

Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Offside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Offside Front Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Exhaust deteriating

One exhaust mounting ring missing

Pass 9 Oct 2013 59,920 miles
Fail 4 Oct 2013 59,804 miles

Main beam 'tell-tale' not working (1.7.4c)

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

corrosion through out

exhaust rubbers broken but exhaust still supported

Pass 18 Oct 2012 57,265 miles

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Fail 17 Oct 2012 57,257 miles

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Pass 10 Oct 2011 55,750 miles

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

one exhaust mounting missing

Fail 28 Sep 2011 55,735 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

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

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

one exhaust mounting missing

Pass 8 Sep 2010 53,819 miles
Fail 2 Sep 2010 53,818 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

both front brake discs slightly pitted

Pass 10 Sep 2009 53,464 miles

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

Nearside Rear Leaf spring has a slightly deteriorated anchor pin rubber bush not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.B.2)

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

Offside Rear Leaf spring has a slightly deteriorated anchor pin rubber bush not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.B.2)

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

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

Pass 5 Sep 2008 51,584 miles

nsf cv boot starting to split nsf wheel bearing slight play

Pass 26 Sep 2007 50,307 miles
Fail 21 Sep 2007 50,295 miles

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Pass 1 Sep 2006 48,719 miles

Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Pass 8 Sep 2005 46,966 miles
Fail 6 Sep 2005 46,966 miles

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

Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

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

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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E481 TFD is a 1988 Talbot Express in Green with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.4%.

Across all 1988 Talbot Express models, the average MOT pass rate is 63.1% with a typical mileage of 76,257 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 E481 TFD, 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 38 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 E481 TFD?

You can check the full history of E481 TFD by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was E481 TFD registered?

E481 TFD is a 1988 Talbot Express, first registered on 14 June 1988.

Is E481 TFD safe to buy?

The MOT history for E481 TFD shows 32 tests with a 59.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does E481 TFD 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 E481 TFD. 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.