2011 London Taxis INT TX4 2.5L Diesel · LL11 YRM

The most recent DVSA MOT test on 16 April 2026 resulted in a pass with no defects recorded, which represents a positive outcome for a prospective buyer. However, the broader pattern across the available history is less reassuring than the clean sheet suggests. Between May 2024 and the present, the vehicle has alternated between passes and a substantial failure in October 2025, where four major defects were identified at a single visit, followed by a pass in November 2025 with a minor advisory for an insecure nearside front direction indicator. The fact that four major items were allowed to accumulate simultaneously, affecting lighting, audible warning equipment, electrical security, and front suspension integrity, suggests a period of deferred maintenance rather than gradual wear. While the current clean pass is encouraging, the trend points towards an inconsistent maintenance regime, and a buyer should treat the October 2025 failure as evidence that multiple systems can deteriorate rapidly if servicing lapses. With recorded mileage of 287,301 miles over approximately fifteen years, this London Taxis TX4 has covered around 19,150 miles annually, which is very high for a passenger vehicle and indicative of intensive commercial or heavy private use. Such elevated mileage places considerable cumulative stress on the powertrain, clutch, transmission, brakes, and suspension components, and it is worth noting that London taxi applications are particularly demanding due to stop-start urban operation, frequent low-speed manoeuvring, and sustained idle periods. The relatively consistent annual accumulation suggests the vehicle has been in regular service rather than left standing, which is generally favourable for mechanical components but accelerates wear on consumables such as brake discs, pads, tyres, and suspension bushes. Any significant gaps in the recorded mileage history should be queried, as unrecorded mileages or clock discrepancies are not uncommon in high-use commercial vehicles. The October 2025 failure items warrant specific attention during a pre-purchase inspection. The nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint being recorded as excessively worn is a particularly important finding, as worn ball joints compromise steering precision, can produce clonking noises over uneven surfaces, and may lead to uneven front tyre wear and instability under braking. Although the vehicle subsequently passed, the replacement component should be inspected for quality of repair, and the buyer should listen carefully for any residual knocking or vagueness in the steering on a test drive. The insecure battery issue should also be verified by checking that the battery is firmly clamped in its carrier, as vibration from a loose battery can damage terminals and cause electrical faults. The headlamp and indicator defects are generally straightforward remedials, but the buyer should confirm that all exterior lighting functions correctly, that the horn operates reliably, and that the indicator lenses display the correct amber colour, as incorrectly coloured rear indicators are a common cause of failure. Given the vehicle's age and very high mileage, a prospective buyer should look beyond the MOT record and conduct a thorough physical inspection. The coil springs, anti-roll bar bushes, and rear suspension components should be examined for sagging or cracking, as these deteriorate progressively with high mileage and can lower ride height or produce poor road behaviour. Brake discs should be inspected for lipping, scoring, or corrosion around the hub mounting face, and the calipers should be checked for binding or sticking pistons, particularly if the vehicle has been used in heavy urban traffic. Tyres should be examined not only for tread depth but for sidewall cracking and perishing, which is age-related rather than mileage-related and common on vehicles of this vintage. The timing belt or chain replacement history should be verified according to the manufacturer's schedule, along with evidence of regular coolant, brake fluid, and gearbox oil changes, as time-based fluid degradation can cause internal corrosion and component failure even when the vehicle is in regular use. A compression test or diagnostic scan for stored fault codes would also be prudent given the high mileage and the prior electrical issues recorded at MOT.