2013 London Taxis INT TX4 2.5L Diesel · LR13 AXG

A serious front-end mechanical episode in late November 2024, where the vehicle was presented with a dangerous track rod end ball joint on the nearside alongside dangerously low tread on three tyres and an excessively worn anti-roll bar linkage, represents the defining event in this TX4's recent roadworthiness record. It is reassuring that the car returned to the test bay just nine days later on 5 December 2024 and passed cleanly, and has since accumulated three further passes with no advisories recorded, the most recent being 20 May 2026. That quick turnaround and the subsequent string of defect-free results suggest the steering and tyre issues were addressed decisively rather than left to mask an underlying problem, and the present MOT status is favourable. However, the severity of those defects — particularly the track rod end wear flagged as carrying a serious risk of detachment — is the kind of finding that warrants ongoing vigilance on a high-mileage London taxi of this age, where steering and suspension joints are placed under exceptionally heavy daily load. At 238,664 recorded miles across roughly thirteen years, this TX4 has covered approximately 18,000 miles per year on average, which is consistent with intensive service use, possibly as a private hire or hackney carriage vehicle. There are no extended gaps between test entries to suggest long periods off the road, meaning the chassis, drivetrain, brake and suspension components have been worked continuously. That kind of mileage on a London taxi typically translates into multiple replacements of consumables such as clutches, brake discs and pads, drive belts and possibly gearbox or differential internals, even where the MOT record is otherwise clean. The absence of advisories does not equate to absence of wear on a vehicle of this workload, and a buyer should treat the clean MOT as confirmation of roadworthiness rather than evidence of originality. Given that the front track rod end ball joint, anti-roll bar linkage and front tyres were the most recent components to fail, a thorough physical inspection of the front axle should be the priority before purchase. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, particularly on full lock where steering loads are greatest, and feel for any looseness, vagueness or juddering through the steering wheel which could indicate renewed wear in the track rod ends or inner rack joints. The anti-roll bar link and its bushes should be examined for play by hand once the wheel is lifted, and the front coil springs and top mount bearings checked for cracking, as these are common wear items on this model. The fact that three tyres were simultaneously below the 1.6mm limit on the previous test suggests a possible alignment issue or simply that replacements had been deferred, so verify even tyre wear across both axles and ask when the most recent set was fitted. Because the rear tyres were also flagged in that same test, inspect all four corners for matching tread depth and check the sidewalls for cracking or bulges, which are common on age-hardened taxi-spec rubber. The braking system, although not flagged, will have endured enormous thermal cycling at this mileage, so on the road the car should pull up squarely without pulling to either side, and the pedal should feel firm rather than spongy. Listen for any binding or dragging from the calipers when pulling away from a standstill, and check the rear wheel cylinders and brake pipes for any seepage, as corrosion under a London taxi floor is typical. Finally, the 2.5-litre diesel under the bonnet should be cold-started if possible and watched for excessive smoke, particularly blue haze on overrun which points to worn turbo seals or piston ring wear, and a thorough underbody inspection for structural corrosion around the subframe, sill seams and outriggers is essential on any TX4 approaching the end of its second decade.