Used car guide

2012 London Taxis INT TX4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 London Taxis INT TX4s, from 676 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

676MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
19,500typical miles a year
3.7×the usual rate for wheel bearings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 London Taxis INT TX4s than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Wheel bearings3.7× usual
    London Taxis INT TX4
    5.6% All 2012 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.6% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Better than most

Tread depth: 8.7% here, against 22.3% of all 2012 cars. Brake discs: 4.1% here, against 14.2% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 London Taxis INT TX4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    27% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    18% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    12% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    11% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Rust and bodywork
    7% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Looking at a London Taxis INT TX4?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20171,008Suspension 34%
20161,575Suspension 36%
20152,080Suspension 35%
20142,193Suspension 37%
2013636Suspension 32%
2011798Suspension 31%
2010596Suspension 33%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 London Taxis INT TX4s registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score