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J281 HSL

1992 Talbot Express

White Diesel 2500cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Nov 2026
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

135,435 mi
Last recorded135,435 miles
Recorded on17 Nov 2025
Typical for 1992 Talbot Express68,439 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ281 HSL
MakeTalbot
ModelExpress
Year1992
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

19 pass 11 fail
Pass 17 Nov 2025 135,435 miles

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

General corrosion

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

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

Pass 22 Nov 2024 133,756 miles

General corrosion

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

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

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

Pass 22 Aug 2023 131,334 miles

Front Coil spring corroded Near Side & Offside (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

General corrosion advice

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (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))

Fail 15 Aug 2023 131,320 miles

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

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

Front Coil spring corroded Near Side & Offside (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

General corrosion advice

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (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))

Pass 23 Aug 2022 127,655 miles

Coil spring corroded both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Shock absorbers has light misting of oil both rear (5.3.2 (b))

general age related corrosion noticed and advice

Fail 6 Aug 2022 127,644 miles

Emissions not tested due to exhaust (8.2.2.2 (e))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases x 3 (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Coil spring corroded both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Shock absorbers has light misting of oil both rear (5.3.2 (b))

general age related corrosion noticed and advised

Pass 3 Jul 2021 125,556 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Coil spring corroded both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

General age related corrosion noticed and advice

Nearside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 28 Jun 2021 125,556 miles

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

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

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Coil spring corroded both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

General age related corrosion noticed and advice

Nearside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 5 Jul 2019 122,953 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn suspension unit (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn suspension unit (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive engine and gearbox (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 27 Jun 2019 122,945 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill inner and outer and rear most outrigger (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner and outer (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill inner and outer and rear most outrigger (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Outer Prop shaft joint constant velocity boot no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion to the extent that overall security or stability of the body is impaired slam panel nearside and offside (6.2.2 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn suspension unit (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn suspension unit (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive engine and gearbox (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Vehicle identification plat insecure engine bay area

Pass 4 Jun 2018 115,195 miles
Fail 4 Jun 2018 115,195 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 13 Jun 2017 111,067 miles

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2mm (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak gearbox ()

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 27 Jun 2016 107,826 miles

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

Fail 21 Jun 2016 107,826 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Headlamp not working on dipped beam both (1.7.5a)

Headlamp not working on main beam both (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Nearside Side repeater insecure (1.4.A.2b)

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

Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded both (3.6.B.4e)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Windscreen has damage to the swept area in excess of a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

Pass 30 May 2015 107,310 miles

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

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

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

nearside rear tyre becoming deteriorated

unable to check door steps due to tape

Fail 26 May 2015 107,301 miles

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

nearside rear tyre becoming deteriorated

unable to check door steps due to tape

Pass 20 Jun 2014 106,044 miles
Pass 25 Jun 2013 103,323 miles
Pass 21 Jun 2012 98,842 miles
Fail 21 Jun 2012 98,842 miles

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

Pass 16 Jun 2011 97,296 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 16 Jun 2011 97,296 miles

All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 May 2010 96,176 miles
Fail 6 May 2010 9,616 miles

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 29 May 2009 95,590 miles
Fail 25 May 2009 95,575 miles

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Pass 16 May 2008 91,437 miles
Pass 16 May 2007 87,638 miles
Pass 24 Apr 2006 8,386 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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J281 HSL is a 1992 Talbot Express in White with a 2,500cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

Across all 1992 Talbot Express models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.6% with a typical mileage of 68,439 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 J281 HSL, 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 34 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 J281 HSL?

You can check the full history of J281 HSL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J281 HSL registered?

J281 HSL is a 1992 Talbot Express, first registered on 30 December 1992.

Is J281 HSL safe to buy?

The MOT history for J281 HSL shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J281 HSL 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 J281 HSL. 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.