2013 London Taxis INT TX4 2.5L Diesel · LR13 AXN

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2013 London Taxis International TX4 was conducted on 10 December 2024, resulting in a pass with no advisories or defects recorded against the vehicle. This follows an immediate retest on 5 December 2024 after an initial failure on the same date; although the specific failure items are not detailed in the records you have provided, the rapid turnaround and subsequent pass suggest any issues identified were rectified promptly and to test standard. Looking at the broader history, the vehicle has passed each of its three earlier tests in 2023 and the April 2024 examination without any recorded advisories, which indicates a generally stable maintenance trend rather than a deteriorating pattern. A clean advisory record over multiple consecutive tests is a positive indicator, although for a commercial-derived hackney carriage platform of this age and mileage, it would be prudent to establish what remedial work was carried out between the 5 December and 10 December 2024 tests, as the nature of any failure on a TX4 of this vintage could relate to steering, suspension, or braking components subject to heavy wear. With 234,303 miles recorded against a 2013 registration, this TX4 has accumulated approximately 18,023 miles per year on average, which is notably high and consistent with intensive service use as a licensed taxi. Such high annual mileage typically results in accelerated wear to consumables including brake pads, discs, clutch assemblies, tyres, and suspension components such as bushes, shock absorbers, and coil springs. The mileage progression appears steady rather than sporadic, with no significant gaps that might suggest long periods of standing, which is mechanically favourable as prolonged inactivity can lead to brake disc corrosion, seized calipers, perished rubber components, and 12V battery degradation. However, the sustained high usage also means internal wear items such as the timing chain, gearbox mounts, and engine ancillary drive components will have been subjected to considerable cumulative stress and should be evaluated with care. Given the clean advisory record and absence of recurring defects in the MOT history, a prospective buyer should now focus on age-and-mileage appropriate physical inspections that go beyond what the standard MOT examination captures. Begin with a thorough check of all four tyres for sidewall cracking or perishing, as taxi tyres on this platform often suffer accelerated ageing from kerbing, heavy loading, and urban stop-start use; uneven tread wear across an axle can point to misalignment, worn suspension bushes, or weak dampers. Examine the brake discs for lipping, scoring, or hot-spots indicating pad wear or caliper binding, and verify the handbrake holds firmly on an incline, as handbrake mechanisms on TX4s are known to require periodic adjustment. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would suggest worn anti-roll bar drop links, ball joints, or MacPherson strut top mount bearings, all common failure points on this model at this mileage. Finally, request verification of full service history including cambelt or timing chain replacement intervals, as the diesel engine fitted to the TX4 is interference-type and chain stretch at high mileage can lead to serious engine damage if neglected. Inspect all fluid conditions including engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid, as these degrade with calendar age as well as mileage, and confirm the brake fluid has been changed within the last two years regardless of mileage due to its hygroscopic nature. Check the underside of the vehicle on a ramp for any fluid weeping from the engine, gearbox, or differential seals, and look for corrosion to exhaust mounting points, fuel lines, and brake pipe runs particularly along the chassis rails where taxi use and winter road salt exposure accelerate deterioration. Verify the 12V battery is recent and holds charge under load, as the TX4's on-board electrical systems including the meter and roof signage place sustained demands on battery health, and ensure all instrument cluster functions operate correctly. A compression test or electronic diagnostic scan for any stored fault codes would also be highly advisable on a commercial vehicle of this vintage and mileage before committing to purchase.