2009 London Taxis INT TX4 2.5L Diesel · LM59 FJO

The most recent DVSA examination on 6 January 2026 resulted in a pass, which is the current and valid roadworthiness position. Notably, a failure was also recorded on the same date immediately prior to the pass, and an identical pattern is visible in the June 2025 test, where a failure and a pass were both logged on 18 June 2025. A sole pass on 19 December 2024 is the only prior entry. Although the current certificate is clean with no advisories or defects recorded, the clustered pass-after-fail outcomes strongly suggest a retest scenario each time, indicating that an item was identified, rectified, and the vehicle then presented for retest within the same day or shortly after. For a prospective buyer this is not in itself a negative sign, but it does warrant confirmation of exactly what was repaired, the quality of that repair, and whether the original failure cause has been permanently resolved or merely addressed for the purpose of the test. The recorded mileage of 296,755 miles over seventeen years equates to an average annual accumulation of around 17,456 miles, which is exceptionally high even for a London taxi of this type. While the TX4 is engineered for intensive commercial use and is mechanically robust, sustained mileage at this level accelerates wear across all major consumables and drivetrain components, including the clutch, gearbox synchros, turbocharger, injectors, suspension bushes, coil springs, steering rack, wheel bearings, and the engine’s internal bottom-end components. The MOT history does not show any deep trend in mileage between tests, which is consistent with continuous working use rather than long periods of standing. Buyers should therefore expect near-term expenditure on wear-and-tear items, particularly the braking system, suspension, and drivetrain, and should not assume that the absence of advisories equates to a low-wear vehicle. Given the absence of recorded advisories or recurring defects, the inspection focus should shift towards the age- and mileage-related condition of the vehicle rather than chasing a specific failure pattern. On a physical inspection, particular attention should be given to the tyres: even if the tread depth is well within the legal 1.6 mm minimum, the sidewalls on a seventeen-year-old commercial vehicle are highly susceptible to perishing and cracking, and any sidewall damage on a commercial-ply tyre is grounds for replacement regardless of tread. Brake discs on a high-mileage taxi frequently exhibit heavy corrosion lipping, scored surfaces, or binding calipers that cause uneven pad wear, so a careful check of disc condition, pad wear across all four corners, and the feel of the brakes under gentle and firm application is essential. Listen for any grinding, pulsation through the pedal, or pulling to one side under braking. Other time- and use-serviced items warrant equal scrutiny. The 12V battery should be load-tested, as a taxi of this age is likely on its second or third unit and a failing battery can cause a cascade of electrical faults. Coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid all degrade with calendar age rather than mileage alone, and any service history should be examined to confirm that fluid changes have been carried out at appropriate intervals; brake fluid in particular is hygroscopic and should be renewed regardless of pad wear. Beneath the vehicle, check for oil leaks from the sump, timing cover, and turbo oil feed, as well as any seepage from the gearbox and differential seals. On the test drive, listen for suspension clonks or knocking over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn bushes, drop links, or top mounts. A transmission that is notchy or slow to engage points towards worn synchros or a tired clutch. Steering should be precise with no play, wandering, or vibration through the wheel at speed, which would suggest worn track rod ends or balancing issues. Given the working history of this vehicle, a full pre-purchase inspection by a garage familiar with TX4 cabs is strongly recommended.