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L397 UTU

1993 Talbot Express

White Diesel 1905cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires23 Jun 2026
Tests32 (19 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate59.4%

Mileage

65,536 mi
Last recorded65,536 miles
Recorded on11 Jun 2026
Typical for 1993 Talbot Express66,330 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Talbot
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL397 UTU
MakeTalbot
ModelExpress
Year1993
ColourWhite
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine1,905cc

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
Fail 11 Jun 2026 65,536 miles

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

Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive cross member (5.3.6 (a) (i))

underbody is getting corroded

Pass 24 Jun 2025 65,221 miles

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

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

Pass 6 Apr 2023 65,204 miles
Fail 17 Mar 2023 65,204 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Inner wheel arch area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Inner wheel arch area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Outer sill corroded outside prescribed area

Pass 18 Mar 2022 64,736 miles

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Inner wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Outer sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Exhaust silencer slightly loose (8.1.1 (b) (i))

Fail 9 Mar 2022 64,726 miles

Central Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Chassis by flexy pipes (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Inner wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Outer sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Exhaust silencer slightly loose (8.1.1 (b) (i))

Pass 5 Mar 2021 63,626 miles

Area around rear suspension mounting rusty

Exhaust mounting defective x4 rubber mounts perishing (6.1.2 (a))

Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Nearside & offside both front inner wheel arch area corroded and areas covered in sealant (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 5 Mar 2021 63,626 miles

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

Offside Front Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system inner arch (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust mounting defective x4 rubber mounts perishing (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front brake hose lose

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Fail 20 Feb 2021 63,607 miles

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

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

Rear fog lamp does not emit a steady red light (4.5.4 (a))

Offside Front Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system inner arch (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front brake hose lose

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 18 Feb 2020 63,337 miles
Fail 12 Feb 2020 63,337 miles

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

Pass 25 Feb 2019 63,051 miles
Fail 18 Feb 2019 63,024 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 21 Feb 2018 60,572 miles
Pass 15 Feb 2017 60,443 miles
Pass 22 Feb 2016 60,038 miles
Pass 18 Feb 2015 59,426 miles

corrosion to sill panels

Pass 4 Feb 2014 58,660 miles
Pass 29 Jan 2013 57,610 miles
Pass 8 Feb 2012 56,082 miles
Fail 7 Feb 2012 56,082 miles

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Pass 17 Feb 2011 54,612 miles
Fail 16 Feb 2011 54,612 miles

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

Rear Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened (3.5.1b)

Pass 3 Feb 2010 52,499 miles

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

Fail 3 Feb 2010 52,499 miles

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

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

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

Pass 3 Feb 2009 50,968 miles

Nearside Rear Leaf spring deteriorated but not seriously weakened (2.4.B.1a)

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

Offside Rear Leaf spring deteriorated but not seriously weakened (2.4.B.1a)

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

offside mirror glass as slight damage (cracks)

Fail 30 Jan 2009 50,968 miles

Centre Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user (1.6.2b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Engine/gearbox mounting(s) defective

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

Nearside Rear Leaf spring deteriorated but not seriously weakened (2.4.B.1a)

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

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

Offside Rear Leaf spring deteriorated but not seriously weakened (2.4.B.1a)

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

Spare tyre defective

dash lights not working

offside mirror glass as slight damage (cracks)

tail pipe to low

Pass 19 Feb 2008 49,360 miles
Fail 18 Feb 2008 49,341 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 6 Feb 2007 48,465 miles

Nearside outer cv gator damp.

Pass 16 Feb 2006 46,920 miles
Fail 15 Feb 2006 46,900 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (hotspot upper edge above the horizontal 0% line) (1.6.D1)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

N/S rear tyre 2mm

Rear engine mount weak. engine kicking around a lot.

signs of grease around N/S gaiter, no visible holes.

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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L397 UTU is a 1993 Talbot Express in White with a 1,905cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.4%.

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 L397 UTU, 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 L397 UTU?

You can check the full history of L397 UTU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L397 UTU registered?

L397 UTU is a 1993 Talbot Express, first registered on 16 August 1993.

Is L397 UTU safe to buy?

The MOT history for L397 UTU 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 L397 UTU 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 L397 UTU. 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.