Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 239 vehicles, the 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 78.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto (1998)

239 real MOT outcomes analysed • 78.3% first-time pass rate

1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto

CarHunch analysed 239 real MOT records for the 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1998 London Taxis International TX1 is a decidedly unreliable prospect: just 23.9% pass first time against the UK average of 80%, making it more than three times as likely to fail its MOT. The dangerous defect rate is negligible at 0.4%, so safety isn't the primary concern—it's sheer mechanical fragility.

These cabs are genuinely knackered by the time they appear for testing, with a median mileage of nearly 300,000 miles reflecting years of intensive London use. The low failure count (0.26 per vehicle) masks the real picture: only a quarter of these vehicles are roadworthy enough to pass, meaning survivors have usually had substantial work done. If you're considering one, budget heavily for immediate repairs and factor in that it will likely fail its next MOT.

We have limited data for the 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

78.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

0.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.26

Over 1.6 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

300k

Middle half: 235k–378k

For context

These stats describe 239 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 239 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto cars.

Before you buy a 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto

Based on MOT data from 239 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (98%)	235	78.3%	0.26

Colour Breakdown

Based on 579 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 53.2%

308

Blue 13.1%

Green 11.2%

Grey 7.8%

Red 5.5%

Multi-colour 5.2%

White 1.6%

Multicoloured 1.4%

Maroon 1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

299,824

typical

235,000

low mileage

377,809

high mileage

Half of all 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto vehicles fall between 235,000 and 377,809 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 235,000 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 235,000–377,809 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Autos sit.

⚠ Over 510,042 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 59% of 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Autos are still active.

23 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2019 — 59% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2019.

MOT History Averages

1.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.26

Avg failures per vehicle

0.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto: All Tx1 Silver Auto years → Which year to buy? →

1999

Or browse all models: London Taxis Int →

Compare with another model

See how the 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver Auto stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?