1991 TALBOT EXPRESS 1300 D2.5L DIESEL

The vehicle currently holds a roadworthy status following a clean pass in October 2025 at 74,851 miles. However, the maintenance history reveals a trend of reactive repairs rather than proactive upkeep. The failure in July 2025 highlighted multiple critical safety issues, including lighting failures, a severely deteriorated CV boot, and perished offside front brake hoses. While the most recent test indicates these specific defects were rectified, the recurring faults suggest the vehicle is only serviced when components reach a point of failure threshold. At 35 years old, the recorded mileage of 74,851 miles is exceptionally low, averaging approximately 2,139 miles per year. The data shows very infrequent use between July 2023 and July 2025, where the vehicle covered only 1,263 miles over two years. This low annual mileage often correlates with age-related degradation of rubber components and metalwork, which is evidenced by the persistent reports of corroded brake pipes, perished hoses, and worn CV boots despite the short distance traveled between tests. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the braking and suspension systems. The record notes corroded brake pipes and ferrules in 2024 and 2025, alongside a binding nearside rear brake that appeared in 2023 and 2024. The leaf spring bushes and shackle pins were flagged as being near their limit in mid-2025, indicating structural integrity in the rear suspension is declining. Additionally, the previous failure regarding the nearside lower panel and general rust on steering components necessitates a close look to ensure that corrosion has not progressed beyond surface level on the chassis.