2000 London Taxis INT TX1 Bronze 2.7L Diesel · W68 XDM

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2000 London Taxis TX1 took place on 4 January 2024 and resulted in a pass with no defects recorded, which is a positive starting position for any prospective buyer. However, the preceding test on 22 December 2023 resulted in a fail with multiple major defects, suggesting that while the vehicle was ultimately brought to a roadworthy condition, the underlying components requiring attention had deteriorated significantly just days before that pass. Looking further back, the vehicle passed on 15 January 2020 and again on 27 March 2014, but a fail on 26 March 2014 noted serious structural corrosion within 30cm of body mountings on both inner rear chassis sections, followed by another structural corrosion fail in September 2014 and a further fail for an excessively corroded offside inner body within 30cm of mountings and a leaking power steering pump. The pattern is therefore not one of stable maintenance; rather, it reflects a vehicle that has battled recurring brake and corrosion issues, and the most recent test outcome should be viewed as corrective action following a heavy defect list rather than evidence of inherent mechanical soundness. The recorded mileage of 602,218 miles against an approximate 26 year vehicle age equates to around 23,000 miles per year on average, which is extraordinarily high and consistent with intensive commercial taxi use. The MOT history shows a notably sparse testing pattern with substantial gaps, most notably a four year interval between the 2014 tests and the 2020 pass, which could suggest periods of limited use, off-road storage, or potentially mileage not fully captured during those years. With mileage of this magnitude, it is reasonable to expect that the vehicle has undergone at least one engine or major drivetrain overhaul, and buyers should seek documentary evidence of any such work. The combination of high mileage and a history of corrosion and brake-related failures indicates that consumable wear items such as brake discs, pads, suspension bushes, coil springs, drive belts, and wheel bearings will have been subjected to severe cumulative stress and may be approaching the limit of their serviceable life even where no advisory is currently recorded. For a prospective buyer, the December 2023 failure demands particularly close scrutiny of the braking system, as the major defects listed included an excessively binding offside front service brake, two brake pipes corroded or damaged at the front calipers, a rear brake pipe corroded across the rear axle between cylinders, and insufficient parking brake efficiency. Binding calipers are a known consequence of long service intervals and can cause uneven pad wear, pulling under braking, and overheating of the affected disc; on a test drive, listen for a graunching or scraping noise when releasing the brake pedal after firm application, and feel whether the vehicle tracks straight under progressive braking. The corrosion of brake pipes at the calipers and across the rear axle is typical of a vehicle exposed to winter road salt over many years and suggests that the entire brake line circuit should be inspected, as further sections may be approaching perforation. With parking brake efficiency having fallen below requirements, the handbrake mechanism, rear cables, and rear shoe or caliper operation should all be physically checked and the handbrake tested on an incline if possible. Beyond the documented brake and corrosion concerns, the historical structural corrosion advisories within 30cm of body mountings on both inner rear sections must be considered serious, as they directly affect load-bearing integrity and could compromise safety in the event of a collision or under the considerable weight stresses placed on a taxi. A physical examination of the chassis rails, spring mounts, outrigger sections, and sill internal structures is therefore essential, ideally with the vehicle raised on a ramp so that corrosion pitting can be assessed away from cosmetic underseal. Given the age and standing periods implied by the MOT gaps, the buyer should also inspect for tyre sidewall perishing and cracking, brake disc surface corrosion that may not have cleared with use, and the condition of all rubber components including suspension bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and steering rack gaiters. The 12V battery should be load tested as taxi use with prolonged electrical load is demanding on battery life, and all fluids including brake fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and transmission oil should be checked for time-based degradation rather than relying purely on the mileage figure, as calendar aging will have taken its toll over the past two and a half decades regardless of recent use.