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Pass Your MOT

1989 Talbot Unclassified MOT Pass Rate

Pass rate for Unclassified models manufactured in 1989, based on 245 real MOT test results.

51.8%
Pass Rate
48.2%
Fail Rate
245
Total Tests
91,925
Avg Mileage

Data from official DVSA MOT testing records

This page shows all Unclassified cars tested in 1989. Want to see how cars built in 1989 hold up over time?

View 1989 Talbot Unclassified vintage page → (36.8% current pass rate)

1989 Talbot Unclassified MOT Analysis

The 1989 Talbot Unclassified has an MOT pass rate of 51.8% based on 245 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 91,925 miles on the odometer. With a 48.2% failure rate, the 1989 Unclassified is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.

The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1989 Talbot Unclassified is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, responsible for 4.1% of failures. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs range from £5–50. Suspension is the second most common issue at 2.9%. Body, chassis, structure follows at 2.4%.

Top failures specific to 1989 models only. The overall Unclassified page may show different rankings.

What Fails Most

What Fails on This Car?

Click a category to see specific failure items.

View as table
MOT failure categories ranked by failure rate
RankFailure CategoryRate (%)Count
1Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment4.1%10
2Suspension2.9%7
3Body, Chassis, Structure2.4%6
4Brakes2.4%6
5Noise, Emissions And Leaks0.8%2
6Steering0.8%2

Failures per 10,000 Miles

avg. 91,925 mi

For every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.

Lamps & Electrical0.44% per 10K miSuspension0.31% per 10K miBody & Structure0.27% per 10K miBrakes0.27% per 10K miNoise, emissions and leaks0.09% per 10K miSteering0.09% per 10K mi
View as table
Mileage-normalised failure rates by category
CategoryRate / 10K miRaw %Count
Lamps & Electrical0.444.1%10
Suspension0.312.9%7
Body & Structure0.272.4%6
Brakes0.272.4%6
Noise, emissions and leaks0.090.8%2
Steering0.090.8%2

Mileage Statistics

91,925
Mean
76,221
Median
63,005
25th Percentile
112,942
75th Percentile
5.24% failures per 10K miles

Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.

About This Data

The 1989 Talbot Unclassified has an MOT pass rate of 51.8% based on 245 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 91,925 miles on the odometer. With a 48.2% failure rate, the 1989 Unclassified is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.

If you own or are considering buying a 1989 Talbot Unclassified, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test. With an average mileage of 91,925 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 4.1% of failures

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 4.1% of MOT failures on 1989 Talbot Unclassified models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.

Suspension — 2.9% of failures

Suspension issues account for 2.9% of MOT failures on 1989 Talbot Unclassified models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.

Body, chassis, structure — 2.4% of failures

Body, chassis, structure issues account for 2.4% of MOT failures on 1989 Talbot Unclassified models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.

Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

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