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L398 EKM

1994 Talbot Express

White Diesel 2500cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Jun 2027
Tests24 (16 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

117,385 mi
Last recorded117,385 miles
Recorded on19 Jun 2026
Typical for 1994 Talbot Express65,242 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Talbot
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL398 EKM
MakeTalbot
ModelExpress
Year1994
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

16 pass 8 fail
Pass 19 Jun 2026 117,385 miles

Central Front Fuel pipe chafing fuel priming pump pipe chaffing on manifold (6.1.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Inner Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Parking brake lever defective but can be satisfactorily operated (1.1.6 (d))

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

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

Fail 5 Jun 2026 117,372 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp are incorrectly positioned (4.1.4 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp are incorrectly positioned (4.1.4 (a))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Central Front Fuel pipe chafing fuel priming pump pipe chaffing on manifold (6.1.3 (c) (i))

Offside Front Inner Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 24 Apr 2026 117,309 miles

Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired (1.1.17 (a))

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

Nearside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Offside Front Inner Integral body structure inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced not fully welded (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

Fail 23 Feb 2026 117,294 miles

Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

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

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

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

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers damaged to the extent that it does not function (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

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

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers damaged to the extent that it does not function (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Brake load sensing valve seized and ABS not fitted or inoperative (1.1.17 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

vehicle heavily under sealed

Pass 29 Jan 2025 116,901 miles
Pass 23 Jan 2024 116,897 miles
Pass 3 Jan 2023 115,432 miles
Pass 27 Aug 2021 112,167 miles

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All round (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Underside corroded

Pass 11 Aug 2020 112,042 miles

Central Exhaust mounting defective 3x Rubbers (6.1.2 (a))

Front Flat Patton Recorded On Heads

Nearside Front Corrosion Showing Under Wheel Ache.

Nearside Front Slight Drag To Front Wheel/Brake

Offside Front Corrosion Showing Under Wheel Ache.

Pass 13 Aug 2019 111,570 miles

Central Exhaust mounting defective Rubber Split But Still Supported (6.1.2 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Fail 9 Aug 2019 111,556 miles

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

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

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

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

Central Exhaust mounting defective Rubber Split But Still Supported (6.1.2 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Nearside Front Slight Binding To Wheel/Brake

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Pass 15 Jun 2018 111,279 miles

some corrosion at both front inner wheel arches and both front jacking points

Pass 17 Jun 2017 110,548 miles
Pass 18 Jun 2016 106,834 miles
Pass 23 Jun 2015 105,505 miles

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

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

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

Fail 9 Jun 2015 105,479 miles

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

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

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

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

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

Pass 23 May 2014 105,243 miles
Fail 23 May 2014 105,243 miles

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

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 12 Jul 2013 105,203 miles

All position lamps slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

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

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

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.1.2c)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

offside front tyre split side wall

Fail 23 Jun 2012 104,440 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 23 Jun 2012 104,440 miles
Pass 25 Jun 2011 103,547 miles

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

Pass 18 Oct 2010 102,763 miles

Oil leak

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

Fail 18 Oct 2010 102,763 miles

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

Oil leak

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

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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L398 EKM is a 1994 Talbot Express in White with a 2,500cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 1994 Talbot Express models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.3% with a typical mileage of 65,242 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 L398 EKM, 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 32 years old, this Talbot Express is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of L398 EKM?

You can check the full history of L398 EKM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L398 EKM registered?

L398 EKM is a 1994 Talbot Express, first registered on 1 March 1994.

Is L398 EKM safe to buy?

The MOT history for L398 EKM shows 24 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L398 EKM 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 L398 EKM. 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.