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

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?

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?

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 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 893 vehicles, the 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71.1%, 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?

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 (1998)

893 real MOT outcomes analysed • 71.1% first-time pass rate

1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver

CarHunch analysed 893 real MOT records for the 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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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 TX1's first-time MOT pass rate of 68.8% trails the UK average of 80%, signalling these iconic hackney cabs are ageing tough—though at least 15.2% of the fleet has seen dangerous defects, so structural and safety wear is a genuine buyer concern. These are well-used machines, with a median mileage of 293,332 miles typical for their age, and they average 2.25 failures per MOT, meaning repairs are routine rather than occasional.

The real story lies in the advisory count: 7.3 per vehicle is high, reflecting the cumulative wear you'd expect from London's stop-start taxi duty. If you're considering one, budget for active maintenance and get a pre-purchase inspection focused on brakes, suspension geometry, and the diesel engine's fuel injection system—these are where the TX1 consistently shows its miles.

The 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver has a below-average first-time pass rate (71.1% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

71.1%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

15.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.25

Over 6.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

293k

Middle half: 196k–370k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 7.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 893 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 893 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver cars.

Before you buy a 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver

Based on MOT data from 893 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 15.2% 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 (99%)	888	71.1%	2.25

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,059 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 49.5%

2,008

Blue 12.7%

515

Green 7.2%

292

Red 7.2%

291

Grey 7.2%

291

Multi-colour 6.8%

278

Silver 3.9%

159

White 3.1%

127

Yellow 1.2%

Maroon 0.8%

Pink 0.2%

Purple 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver 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.

293,332

typical

195,545

low mileage

370,394

high mileage

Half of all 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silver vehicles fall between 195,545 and 370,394 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 195,545 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.

✓ 195,545–370,394 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silvers sit.

⚠ Over 500,031 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 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 5% of 1998 London Taxis Int Tx1 Silvers are still active.

Numbers are declining — 28 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (5% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

6.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.25

Avg failures per vehicle

7.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1999 2000 2001 2002

Or browse all models: London Taxis Int →

Compare with another model

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

Buyer beware — pass it on