London Taxis INT TX1 Bronze

What fails its inspection

Great Britain's MOT record for the 2001 2.7 diesel. 21 of 70 tests failed, 30%.

Better than 21% of 2001 cars. The typical one fails 27%, across 463 models with enough tests behind them to say.

The defects inspectors cite

• A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
• Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point
• A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
• A wheel bearing with excessive play
• A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

Where it stands out against its peers

• Steering: failed more often than 93% of 2001 cars — 24% of its 21 failed tests, where an ordinary 2001 car has 4%.

Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.

NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.

Before you buy one

Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.

• Suspension — 48% of its failures
  • A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
• Brakes — 33% of its failures
• Steering — 24% of its failures
  • A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
• Lights and electrics — 38% of its failures
  • A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• Body and structure — 43% of its failures
  • Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
• Visibility — 19% of its failures