2008 London Taxis Int Tx4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,330 MOT tests, the 2008 London Taxis Int Tx4 recorded a 73.5% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (25.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.6%) and suspension (13.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, rbt (sp) and track rod end — pins and bushes alone was recorded 375 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2008 Tx4 fails 23.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 26.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.1 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 23.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 634 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.9% | 600 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.9% | 559 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 318 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.2% | 310 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 205 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 375 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 308 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 270 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 270 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 242 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 240 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 23.1% | 999 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.6% | 764 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 17.2% | 745 |
| 4 | Steering | 13.2% | 570 |
| 5 | Tyres | 11.8% | 512 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 412 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 148 | 23.6% |
| 30-60k | 51 | 21.6% |
| 60-90k | 86 | 22.1% |
| 90-120k | 101 | 26.7% |
| 120-150k | 143 | 25.2% |
| 150k+ | 3,275 | 26.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,213 | 26.7% |
| Petrol | 72 | 19.4% |
| Gas/LPG | 45 | 24.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,717 | 24.7% |
| 2022 | 1,119 | 26.1% |
| 2023 | 763 | 31.3% |
| 2024 | 449 | 28.5% |
| 2025 | 282 | 23.4% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Tx4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (12.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 London Taxis Int Tx4s pass their MOT?
73.5% of the 4,330 2008 London Taxis Int Tx4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 London Taxis Int Tx4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.6% of tests, followed by suspension (13.9%).
Does the 2008 Tx4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.6% in the 0-30k band to 26.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,330 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.