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F549 SMU

1989 Talbot Express

Cream Diesel 2500cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires4 Dec 2025
Tests25 (15 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

74,499 mi
Last recorded74,499 miles
Recorded on27 Feb 2026
Typical for 1989 Talbot Express76,076 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Talbot
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationF549 SMU
MakeTalbot
ModelExpress
Year1989
ColourCream
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

15 pass 10 fail
Fail 27 Feb 2026 74,499 miles

Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Fail 22 Dec 2025 74,489 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Pass 5 Dec 2024 73,899 miles

Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both side close to legal limit on edges (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 7 Sep 2023 73,896 miles

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced various spots including suspension (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 1 Jun 2022 72,962 miles

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced various spots (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 16 Apr 2021 71,675 miles
Pass 14 Apr 2020 70,326 miles

Front both front inner arches been repaired in past and under sealed

Nearside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated outer cv boot has been repaired (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Fail 14 Apr 2020 70,326 miles

Front both front inner arches been repaired in past and under sealed

Nearside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated outer cv boot has been repaired (6.1.7 (g) (i))

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

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 15 Jan 2019 70,245 miles

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

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

Pass 10 Mar 2017 70,214 miles

Nearside Front Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

offside outer sill to wheel arch corroding

Fail 8 Mar 2017 70,211 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

offside outer sill to wheel arch corroding

Pass 10 Jun 2015 69,796 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Spare tyre defective

Fail 3 Jun 2015 69,796 miles

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

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Spare tyre defective

Pass 30 Apr 2013 69,157 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Fail 22 Apr 2013 69,157 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported (3.6.B.1)

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported (3.6.B.1)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Fail 25 Aug 2011 68,125 miles

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

Pass 25 Aug 2011 68,125 miles
Pass 6 Aug 2010 67,177 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

n/s mirror cracked

Fail 6 Aug 2010 67,177 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

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

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

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

n/s mirror cracked

Pass 8 Jul 2009 66,419 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

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

Fail 7 Jul 2009 66,411 miles

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

Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Obligatory mirror seriously deteriorated, affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

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

Pass 17 Jun 2008

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

Pass 12 Jun 2007 64,338 miles

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 8 Jun 2007 64,338 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 24 May 2006 60,932 miles

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

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

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

Offside front tyre slightly perished on side wall

Vehicle has corrosion offside front behind front wheel but not within 30cm of body mountings

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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F549 SMU is a 1989 Talbot Express in Cream with a 2,500cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

Across all 1989 Talbot Express models, the average MOT pass rate is 64.2% with a typical mileage of 76,076 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 F549 SMU, 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 37 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 F549 SMU?

You can check the full history of F549 SMU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F549 SMU registered?

F549 SMU is a 1989 Talbot Express, first registered on 26 January 1989.

Is F549 SMU safe to buy?

The MOT history for F549 SMU shows 25 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F549 SMU 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 F549 SMU. 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.