2007 London Taxis INT TX4 2.5L Diesel · LM56 LJL

A black-box view of this 2007 London Taxis TX4 emerges from two simultaneous DVSA entries logged on 27 July 2022, one a PASS with no defects recorded and the other a FAILED result also carrying no defects recorded on the official log. That dual-entry anomaly almost certainly reflects a presentation-and-retest sequence on the same day: an initial test outcome that did not meet the standard, followed immediately by a re-presentation after rectification work that then passed clean. While the current DVSA view shows a tidy pass with zero advisories, the failed result on the same date is a reminder that the cab required attention to clear the standard at the last test, and any receipts, diagnostic printouts, or rectification invoices covering that day would be worth tracing before purchase. At a recorded 343,399 miles against a 2007 build year, this TX4 has covered roughly 18,074 miles annually, which sits at the very upper end of usage for a London-style black cab and is consistent with the high-intensity stop-start duty these vehicles are designed for. Critically, there is a significant testing gap visible: no MOT history has been recorded between the original commissioning era and the 27 July 2022 test, meaning the intervening years of workhorse mileage are unverified by DVSA. A black cab racking up commercial mileage almost every day will subject its clutch, dual-mass-style drivetrain components, steering rack, suspension linkages, brake calipers, prop-shaft universal joints and rear axle bearings to relentless wear, and without intervening MOT evidence there is no independent confirmation of when these consumables were last inspected or replaced. Given the absence of specific component advisories on file, a prospective buyer should treat this vehicle as a high-mileage commercial unit where every wear item is now suspect until proven otherwise. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over bumps, which on TX4s typically points to worn anti-roll bar drop links, top mounts or lower wishbone bushes; feel for any slack or wandering from the steering, a common failure point on these cabs given their tight lock-to-lock geometry. Check the brake pedal for excessive travel or sponginess, and on a low-speed stop look for any pulling or judder that would indicate binding calipers or warped discs. Listen at idle for timing chain rattle from the diesel engine, and inspect underneath for any signs of oil misting around the cam cover, turbo and injector leak-off pipes, all of which are regular offenders on these high-hour units. Finally, given that the cab appears to have been off the test register for an extended period before the 2022 dual entry, it is strongly advisable to confirm continuity of service history, verify the identity and provenance of the rectification work that converted the 27 July 2022 fail into a same-day pass, and budget for a thorough independent inspection of the braking system, suspension, steering rack gaiters, prop-shaft UJs and rear axle assembly. The mileage alone makes this a specialist purchase rather than a private-runabout, and only documented commercial-grade maintenance from a TX4-experienced workshop will justify the outlay at this odometer reading.