TfL Ref: FOI-2585-1617

Thank you for your email received by us on 23 March 2017 asking for information about Ministry of Transport annual vehicle tests (MOTs) for licensed taxis.  Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to you.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our Information Access Policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked:

“How many London licensed taxis (black cabs) were reported for not having 2nd MOT between 1st January 2016 and 31st December 2016.”

According to our records, 1,290 taxis were found for not having a second MOT test six months from the date the taxi licence was granted. Please note, this information is reported on in financial periods running from 08 January 2016 to 07 January 2017.

Our compliance officers have access to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) website on their handheld devices which allows them to check previous MOT information for vehicles. In addition, we check both taxis and private hire vehicle MOTs as a part of our regular fleet and operator visits.

The six-monthly MOT tests help to ensure that taxi and private hire vehicles remain safe and road worthy for passengers and other road users. Vehicles identified as not having undertaken a second MOT are issued with an ‘unfit notice’ prohibiting the use of the vehicle until remedial action is taken.

If this is not the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
Paulina Tuffour
FOI Case Officer
 
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London