Former taxis and private hire cars can be cheap, but they've usually worked hard. How to tell if a car has been licensed as a taxi, and what to check before buying one.
Taxis and private hire cars are licensed by local councils. When they're replaced, many are sold on to private buyers, sometimes without the buyer knowing. An ex-taxi isn't automatically a bad buy, but you should know what you're getting.
Why it matters
- High mileage. Taxis often cover many more miles a year than a private car, much of it in stop-start traffic.
- Hard use. Constant passengers wear the rear seats, door handles and interior trim. Short trips and long idling are hard on the clutch, brakes, suspension and, on diesels, the exhaust filter.
- Modifications. Roof signs, meters, radios, cameras and partitions leave holes and wiring behind. Some cars are adapted for wheelchairs.
- Value. An ex-taxi is usually worth less than a privately owned car of the same age and mileage, and that will still be true when you sell it.
How to tell if a car has been a taxi
- A history check. A full check shows whether a car has been licensed as a taxi or private hire vehicle, with the licence dates and whether it was wheelchair adapted. Check a car.
- Signs on the car: filled holes in the roof or dashboard, extra wiring under the dash, adhesive marks on the doors, and fixings for a licence plate on the rear bumper or boot.
- The paperwork: service invoices from a taxi or private hire firm, or servicing much more often than once a year.
- The MOT history: very high mileage between tests is a clue. Councils often carry out their own vehicle inspections, which don't appear in the MOT history.
When an ex-taxi can be a good buy
Many taxi operators service their cars far more often than private owners do, because a breakdown costs them money. Large cars, hybrids and estates that were popular as taxis can be well maintained, and the price should reflect the mileage. If you're going to drive a lot of miles yourself, a well-kept ex-taxi at the right price can make sense.
What to check before buying
- Ask for the full service history, and check the mileage on the invoices matches the MOT record.
- Pay close attention to the clutch, gearbox, suspension and brakes on the test drive.
- On a hybrid, ask whether the hybrid battery has been checked or replaced.
- Check the rear seats, seat belts and door seals for heavy wear.
- Make sure any wheelchair adaptations are working, and that you can insure the car with them.
- Have a mechanic inspect it if you're not confident.
A seller who doesn't mention a car's taxi history isn't necessarily hiding it: they may not know. That's why it's worth checking for yourself.