2010 London Taxis INT TX4 2.5L Diesel · LL10 OUY

A pass certificate dated 10 March 2026 sits alongside a same-day failure entry with no defects recorded against either entry, a pattern mirrored almost exactly six months earlier when the vehicle passed on 15 September 2025 after failing on 8 September 2025. While no advisory or failure defect data is available to scrutinise, the existence of these paired pass-and-fail entries on the same day or within a single week strongly suggests the failures were of a rectifiable nature, such as a lamp bulb, number plate, or minor emissions item that was corrected between tests. With only one further pass recorded in March 2025, the mechanical narrative over the past year is broadly one of roadworthiness retention, though the absence of any recorded advisories across three passes is unusually clean for a commercial-derived saloon of this age and mileage. Prospective buyers should treat this anomaly with caution and verify whether the testing station in question records advisories diligently, as suppression of borderline observations is a known industry concern. At 238,113 miles on a 2010 vehicle, the annual mileage of roughly 14,882 miles is more akin to a working taxi than a privately owned car, and indeed the LONDON TAXIS INT TX4 is a purpose-built hackney carriage frequently operated on intensive urban duty cycles. No testing gaps are evident from the recorded history, with annual MOTs appearing consistent, suggesting the vehicle has remained in active service rather than being laid up for extended periods. This high-utilisation profile means wear on consumables such as brake friction material, clutch components, steering rack internals, and front suspension bushes will be disproportionately advanced relative to the calendar age of the vehicle. Diesel particulate filter condition, turbocharger actuator function, and automatic transmission fluid degradation are also areas that escalate rapidly under stop-start taxi operation and warrant scrutiny even though they fall outside MOT scope. Given the TX4's known weak points, a thorough pre-purchase inspection should focus on the front subframe and its mounting points for corrosion, as well as the rear suspension beam bushes and coil springs which are known to sag on heavily loaded examples. Check visually for any signs of oil seepage around the 2.5-litre Volkswagen-derived diesel engine, paying particular attention to the cam cover gasket and the turbocharger oil feed lines. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonks or knocking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, which commonly indicates worn lower wishbone bushes or anti-roll bar drop link failure. Steering should feel precise without excess play, as worn tie rod ends and steering rack wear are common at this mileage. Brake pedal feel should be firm and progressive without excessive travel, and any judder under heavy braking is likely to indicate warped front discs rather than pad wear alone. Inspect the brake pipes and flexi hoses for corrosion, particularly along the underside and at the chassis mounting clips, as salt exposure in taxi service accelerates pipe failure. Listen for any whining or humming from the differential area when manoeuvring at low speed, which can indicate worn bearings or inadequate gear oil. Finally, confirm that the cooling system has been maintained, as the plastic expansion tank and water pump on these units are known to fail with age, and any history of overheating would warrant a compression test and inspection of the cylinder head for distortion.