2012 London Taxis INT TX4 2.5L Diesel · LR62 JDK

A recurring theme of brake pipe corrosion advisories across consecutive tests points to a vehicle where the underbody braking hydraulic lines are steadily deteriorating beneath a coating of grease or protective material. This pattern first surfaced at the 2025-08-05 test with an offside rear pipe advisory, then escalated at the most recent 2026-08-04 examination where both front-to-rear and nearside rear pipes were flagged, each recorded as covered in grease or other material. Greasing brake lines is a recognised temporary measure to arrest surface corrosion, but it masks rather than resolves the underlying degradation of the ferrous piping, and once corrosion penetrates the pipe wall, the vehicle fails on hydraulic integrity. Separately, the 2026 test also recorded an oil leak from the differential that, while not yet excessive, mirrors an advisory issued in 2022, indicating an ongoing seepage that has persisted across the four-year interval. The most recent test passed, but the accumulating brake pipe advisories represent a developing corrosion concern that warrants close physical inspection beneath the vehicle. Against a 14-year span of operation, the recorded 132,233 miles equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 9,445 miles, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a working-class taxi-derived vehicle of this type. The MOT record shows consistent annual testing from 2021 through 2026 with no significant gaps, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular service rather than undergoing extended periods off the road. Mileage progression between tests appears steady and proportionate to the time elapsed, with no anomalous jumps or unusually low figures that would indicate clocked readings or prolonged standing. At this accumulated distance, wear on major drivetrain consumables, suspension joints, and braking components is expected and consistent with the pattern of advisories and failures observed in the record. The 2022-09-08 failure revealed two significant mechanical concerns that any prospective buyer must investigate. The major defect recorded against the steering box for excessive free play detected at the steering wheel is a serious finding, as steering box wear in a TX4 typically manifests as slack, vagueness, or a loose self-centring action at the wheel, and any recurrence on a test drive should be treated as grounds for renegotiation. The same test also flagged an offside front upper suspension arm pin or bush as excessively worn, a component critical to front wheel geometry; symptoms to listen for include clonking or knocking over uneven surfaces, imprecise steering response, and uneven front tyre wear indicating misalignment. The steering head bearing slight free play advisory recorded alongside these failures, also repeated as an advisory in the same visit, points to the steering column bearing assembly, which on test can reveal itself as a notch or hesitant feel when turning the lock from straight ahead. The 2024-08-08 failure introduced a different category of concern, with an offside front wheel bearing recorded as having excessive play and both front headlamps flagged for product contamination severely reducing light output. Wheel bearing wear at this mileage is common but should be verified by hand on a test drive, listening for a humming or droning noise that changes with vehicle speed and cornering load, and checking for any roughness when the wheel is rotated by hand. Headlamp lens hazing or contamination, particularly severe enough to fail on output, compromises night-time visibility and should be corrected with restoration or replacement. Given the recurring brake pipe advisories, a thorough underbody examination with the vehicle on a ramp is essential to determine whether the lines require cleaning, re-greasing, or full replacement, and the persistent differential oil leak should be inspected for active dripping and level condition. Test driving should focus on detecting steering irregularities, suspension knocks over speed humps and rough tarmac, any pulling under braking that might indicate seized calipers or distorted discs, and confirming that warning lights remain absent.