Used car guide

2005 London Taxis INT TX II diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel London Taxis INT TX II first registered in 2005 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 227 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 227 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

227MOTs of 2005 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
60%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%)
16,800typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 London Taxis INT TX II diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 London Taxis INT TX II diesel than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Engine oil leaks2.2× usual
    London Taxis INT TX II
    28.2% All 2005 cars
    13%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Wheel bearings4.3× usual
    London Taxis INT TX II
    15.4% All 2005 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.4% of all 2005 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.

Common 2005 London Taxis INT TX II diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 London Taxis INT TX II diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    38% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    36% 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.

  • Brakes
    34% 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
    31% 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
    17% 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.

  • Steering
    13% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 London Taxis INT TX II diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2005 London Taxis INT TX II diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the 2005 London Taxis INT TX II diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a London Taxis INT TX II?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the London Taxis INT TX II compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006396Brakes 41%
2004164Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of London Taxis INT TX II cars first registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score