2014 London Taxis INT TX4 2.5L Diesel · LS64 YFA

The vehicle passed its most recent MOT test on 31 March 2026, but only after an initial failure on the same date, indicating that substantial rectification work was required to clear the presentation. The overall trend across the available DVSA history suggests a vehicle whose condition is best described as stable but heavily worn, with a recurring pattern of advisories relating to brake discs, oil leaks, wheel bearings, and rear differential seepage. The major defects identified at the recent test, namely serious fluid leaks from both front shock absorbers, an excessively worn upper suspension arm bush, and a worn shock absorber bush, point to advanced deterioration of the front suspension and damping assemblies. The persistence of advisories around the rear differential oil leak across two consecutive tests and the continuation of the brake disc wear advisory suggests these issues have not been fully resolved between presentations. The combination of an initial pass followed by corrective work and a final pass on the same day is not unusual for a high-mileage commercial-derived vehicle, but it does underline that there is little margin remaining in major wear items. Recorded mileage stands at 347,352 miles over approximately twelve years, equating to an annual average of around 28,946 miles, which is substantially higher than typical private-car usage and entirely consistent with the operational profile of a London TX4 taxi. There are no significant gaps in the mileage record suggesting long periods of standing; rather, the figures indicate continuous, heavy service use. This level of accumulation places considerable cumulative stress on the drivetrain, clutch, braking system, suspension, and engine ancillaries, and buyers should expect that even recent replacement components will have already absorbed a meaningful proportion of their service life. The high mileage also raises the importance of verifying timing belt or chain service intervals, given that the engine has completed a very large number of cycles, and the presence of persistent oil leaks from both the engine and rear differential reinforces the need for a thorough under-bonnet and under-floor inspection for sealant or gasket fatigue. On a physical inspection, particular attention should be directed to the front suspension, as the recent failures for shock absorber fluid leakage and worn bushes suggest the dampers, top mounts, and wishbone components are nearing the end of their functional life. A test drive should be conducted over varied road surfaces to listen for clonking or knocking from the front end on uneven tarmac, as well as any looseness or vagueness through the steering that might indicate worn anti-roll bar ball joints or top arm pins, both of which have appeared in the recent history. Uneven or feathering tyre wear across the front axle would corroborate such findings, and the front tyres themselves should be examined for cracking of the sidewalls given the vehicle age. The advisories for slight play in both front wheel bearings are also worth monitoring, as progression to a humming or droning noise that alters with cornering would indicate the bearings now require replacement. Given the high annual mileage, brake disc condition should be assessed for both wear and corrosion, particularly if the vehicle has spent time idle between shifts, and the front discs specifically should be checked for lipping or uneven surface finish, as the recorded advisory suggests pitted material is already present. Underneath the vehicle, the persistent rear differential oil leak should be inspected for active dripping or a build-up of fresh residue, which would indicate the seal condition is worsening rather than stable, and the surrounding area should be checked for contamination of the parking brake mechanism, which has itself been flagged for wear on the handbrake lever. The general underbody should be examined for corrosion, especially around suspension mounting points, subframe seams, and brake pipe runs, as the most recent test recorded an advisory for corrosion and grease contamination on a rear brake pipe, which warrants close monitoring for any future restriction or leakage. Given the operational demands placed upon this model, the prospective buyer should also verify the service book history for regular transmission fluid changes, as automated or manual gearbox oil is frequently neglected on high-mileage taxis, and check the age and condition of the 12-volt battery, since short urban cycles and prolonged idling can shorten battery life considerably. A compression test or at minimum a live diagnostic scan for stored fault codes would be prudent to confirm internal engine health, and a coolant sample can reveal any signs of head gasket fatigue, which is a known concern on high-mileage diesel power units of this type.