Taxi Driver Online

North east Fife taxi drivers lambasted for ‘atrocious’ standards including worn brakes and damaged seatbelts

North east Fife taxi drivers have been lambasted for the “atrocious” state of their vehicles after 14% failed inspections.

Fife Council inspectors found excessive oil leaks, brake pads worn down to the metal and damaged seat belts and passenger doors.

Dented bodywork, insecure battery cables and chipped windscreens were also discovered.

Councillors on the licensing and regulation committee said they were very disappointed in the results, which showed a significant deterioration in the last year.

Thirty-one operators will now be hauled before the committee’s convener and vice-convener amid alarm over the decrease in standards.

And they will also face random tests within six months to ensure public safety.

Convener Tom Adams said: “This is an atrocious set of figures to come from north east Fife.”

All licensed taxis and private hire vehicles have to go through annual local authority inspections on top of their standard MOTs.

And council workers tested 221 vehicles in north east Fife in February.

Of those, 86% passed first time and the remaining 14% passed on a retest after issues were fixed.

It compares to a 95% first time pass rate last year.

Service manager Billy Ferguson said many of the issues should have been spotted by operators or drivers during a simple walk round the vehicle.

“You don’t need a mechanic to notice things like tyres, brakes and seatbelts,” he said.

“These walk-round checks on vehicles should be done every day.”

The north east Fife tests are the worst in the region this year.

In Levenmouth, 99% passed first time, with only one car having to go through a retest.

And in west Fife, 90% of the 78 cars passed.

Licensing and regulation vice-convener Carol Lindsay said she was very disappointed with the north east Fife figures.

“Eighty-six percent is not up to the standard we require or want in Fife,” she said.

“About five years ago we put in a lot of work with operators in that area and it showed with a 95% pass rate last year.

“It’s very disappointing to see it going back the way.”

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IDFIMH

there's many a taxi driver up and down the uk uses the "test" to find out how much they need to do to their vehicle , as does many a car driver so my question is how does this compare to pass rates for normal MOT's ?

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Where to start with all this? Actually can't really be bothered, especially after spending [far too much time] trying to get this in a half presentable state. Hope forum readers are grateful

Can't recall them listing advisory-style items before, and not sure if they're a factor in whether they pass or fail.

But looking at a lot of those advisory-type items, maybe a case of there but for the grace of God go I


FIFE COUNCIL
FLEET OPERATIONS
ANNUAL TAXI / PRIVATE HIRE CAR INSPECTION REPORT
FAULTS FOR THE EAST FIFE SECTOR

Name Date of Reg Plate No. Re-test date Faults

AL GET, Osama Fathi M 18/12/2014 T116 17/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 175,997
Mileage at Pass: 176,253

1. Tyre sealant missing
2. Coolant leak
3. Nearside rear spring broken
4. Battery earth cable insecure

Advise: Front tyre tread low (both)
Advise: Oil leak
Advise: Fuel tank heat shield deteriorated
Advise: Rear anti-roll bar link has slight play.
Bodywork needs attention -
Front bumper
Nearside front door
Nearside sill
Wheels curbed
Scuff and marks all round

One calendar month to have repaired.
PLATES REMOVED


AL HRAKI, Nader Mohammad 10/07/2017 T051 21/03/2023 Mileage at Fail: 140,381
Milage at Pass: 140,465

1. Rear no. plate damaged
2. Both O/S doors damaged paintwork. Damaged
boot lid. Both N/S doors damaged paintwork.
3. O/S/F fog light inop. Main beam different colour
bulbs.
4. Rear bumper damaged. Front bumper cracked
O/S. Paintwork on front bumper damaged N/S.
5. Exhaust blowing
6. Rear pads almost at metal (no material left)

PLATES REMOVED


AMIN, Twana Mohamad 30/11/2011 T083 27/03/2023 Mileage at Fail: 21,168
Mileage at Pass: 21,227

1. N/S/F and O/S/F wheels damaged. O/S/R wheel
damaged.
2. O/S/R tyre cut in sidewall.
3. Overspray and scuffs on bodywork

PLATES REMOVED


ANDERSON, Mark 18/07/2018 T104 06/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 157,427
Mileage at Pass: 157,585

1. No spare wheel/inflator kit
2. Warning lamp on dash

Advise: Dent in O/S/F door - 30 days

PLATES REMOVED


ANDERSON, Steven 27/06/2019 T109 28/03/2023 Mileage at Fail: 125,627
Mileage at Pass: Not noted

Offside rear tyre cut to cords

Advise: Rear anti-roll bar link bushes worn (both
sides)
Advise: Chip in windscreen
Advise: Bodywork needs attention -
Front bumper

One calendar month to have repaired.
PLATES REMOVED


ANDERSON, Steven 25/02/2017 P054 17/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 107,365
Mileage at Pass: 107,365

No air pump or tyre sealant

Advise: Bodywork needs attention - Rear bumper.
Scuffs and marks all round.

One calendar month to have repaired.


AQLI, Jaouad 16/08/2014 T108 03/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 166,954
Mileage at Pass: 166,996

1. Nearside rear vehicle structure integrity
compromised on floor
2. Offside rear fog light not working

Advise: Rear anti-roll bar link has slight play.
Bodywork needs attention -
Front bumper
Nearside front wing
All round scuffs/marking

One calendar month to have repaired.
PLATES REMOVED


BAYNE, David 07/06/2016 P002 30/03/2023 Mileage at Fail: 133,211
Mileage at Pass: not noted

1. Excessive oil leak from engine
2. Offside front spring broken.
3. Offside front shock absorber leaking oil.

Advise: Bodywork all round needs attention.

One calendar month to have repaired.
PLATES REMOVED


BAYNE, David 06/06/2016 P026 17/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 139,578
Mileage at Pass: 139,672

1. No handbrake O/S
2. O/S/R tyre cut to cord

Advise: Nail in tyre O/S/R
Advise: Slight oil leak
Advise: Damage to bodywork on bonnet

PLATES REMOVED


BISSETT, Frank 01/03/2014 T062 21/03/2023 Mileage at Fail: 237,004
Milage at Pass: 237,844

1. Excessive oil leak from engine
2. Brake bind N/S/R

PLATES REMOVED


BRIDGES, Ian 09/03/2017 P063 25/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 73,489
Mileage at Pass: 73,495

Nearside 1st row outer seat belt damaged

Advise: Nearside front bottom ball joint has slight
play
Advise: Nearside front anti roll bar D bush has slight
play
Advise: Bodywork needs attention - front bumper.

One calendar month to have repaired.
PLATES REMOVED


DOULL, David 23/11/2016 P030 20/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 118,772
Mileage at Pass: 118,796

Nearside front shock absorber leaking oil

PLATES REMOVED


ESHAWI, Abduala 30/06/2017 T087 12/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 133,527
Mileage at Pass: 133,586

1. Offside front anti-roll bar link boot burst
2. Oil leak at filter, leaking onto exhaust

Advise: Bodywork needs attention -
Front bumper
Rear bumper
Nearside

One calendar month to have repaired.
PLATES REMOVED


GADALLA, Saleh 31/05/2019 T074 28/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 102,445
Mileage at Pass: 102,472

Front bumper insecure

Advise: Overspray on both passenger windows
Advise: Overspray on seats and seatbelts
Advise: Very strong smell of chemicals inside cab

PLATES REMOVED


GEORGES, Nick 16/06/2014 T111 05/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 143,542
Mileage at Pass: 143,652

Oil leak down the back of the engine - dripping onto
the exhaust

PLATES REMOVED


HARROW, Roland 29/03/2018 P009 Mileage at Fail: 147,816
Vehicle substituted for newer one that passed

Rear centre seatbelt faulty

Advise: Alloys damaged
Advise: O/S/R bumper corner insecure
Advise: N/S/R quarter panel paint damage. N/S wing
mirror paint damage. Various scuffs and scratches
on paint work. Front bumper paint damage.
Advise: Chunk out the N/S/R tyre
Advise: Rear bumper damage

PLATES REMOVED


HERKES, Valerie 02/08/2017 P021 14/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 205,696
Mileage at Pass: 205,733

1. Excessive oil leak, leaking onto the exhaust
2. O/S outer CV boot leaking

Advise: slight damage to paintwork on N/S/R quarter
panel
Advise: Rust starting to show O/S/R wheel arch.

PLATES REMOVED


KANE, Edward 24/03/2016 T053 Mileage at Fail: 194,997
Vehicle substituted for newer one that passed

Front bumper cracked and poorly
repaired/overspray. O/S/F bumper and wing
damage insecure. Rear bumper damage and some
damage covered by a film.
O/S/R door paint damage. Dent in O/S/R quarter.
N/S/F door dented. N/S/F quarter dented.
High pitch noise from engine bay.
Battery loose.
Brake pedal rubber burst.
Loose wiring lying around the engine bay.
Interior not clean.
Stains on seats.
N/S/F CV gator loose.
N/S/F lower ball joint not in the hub correctly
(dangerous).

Advise: Lower centre engine mount bush burst.

PLATES REMOVED


KANE, Edward 29/05/2017 T090 30/03/2023 Mileage at Fail: 262,574
Mileage at Pass; 262,586

Excessive coolant leak from various places around
engine/radiator.

Advise: Bodywork needs attention -
Front bumper scratched and grill insecure.
Nearside rear corner bumper scratched.

One calendar month to have repaired.
PLATES REMOVED


KAYE, Virginia 08/12/2014 T024 22/03/2023 Mileage at Fail: 109,450
Mileage at Pass: 109,623

1. O/S/R tyre cracked in tread
2. Rear bumper damaged
3. No spare wheel or emergency kit
4. Washers not working
5. Loose wiring hanging down at rear
6. Fuel tank damp
7. N/S/R seat belt stalk loose

PLATES REMOVED


LOVE, Robert 01/03/2017 T097 01/06/2023 Mileage at Fail: 136,247
Mileage at Pass: 136,327

1. N/S/R tyre cut to cord
2. N/S/R anti-roll bar D bush worn
3. Rear bumper insecure

Advise: Front and rear bumper damage
Advise: Scuffs and marks all over bodywork
Advise: Side steps damaged
Advise: Alloy wheels scuffed
Advise: Oil leak from engine

PLATES REMOVED


MACLEOD, Norman Ross 03/01/2017 T034 10/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 212,138
Mileage at Pass: 212,626

1. Oil leak from engine
2. Number plate bulb out
Advise: Alloys damaged
Advise: Rear bumper damaged and boot damaged.

PLATES REMOVED


MANN, Kevin 11/10/2017 T131 03/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 109,063
Mileage at Pass: 109,116

Excessive oil leak from engine

Advise: High level brake light inop
Advise: Knock coming from O/S/F during road test
but could not find during inspection

PLATES REMOVED


MCCLEAN, Gary 24/03/2020 P045 20/02/2023 Mileage at Fail: 16,905
Mileage at Pass: 16,940

1. N/S/F CV Gator burst
2. No fire extinguisher

Advise: front pads low

PLATES REMOVED


MCCLEAN, Gary 29/06/2017 T040 20/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 77,740
Mileage at Pass: 77,741

1. Offside front headlight not working
2. Nearside front shock absorber leaking
3. Nearside 2nd row passenger seat belt damaged

Advise: chip in windscreen
Advise: Both front bottom ball joints have slight play
Advise: Offside front D-bush worn
Advise: Front sub frame bushes have slight play
Advise: Bodywork needs attention - wheel trims.
Nearside rear bumper corner. Nearside front inner
wheel arch insecure.

PLATES REMOVED


MILNE, Richard Douglas 17/10/2018 T135 04/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: not noted
Mileage at Pass: not noted

Excessive oil leak from engine

PLATES REMOVED


MUNRO, Lorna Elizabeth 10/12/2019 P017 13/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 44,705
Mileage at Pass: 44,709

Various cuts to cord N/S/R tyre

Advise: Play in both rear drop link bushes but not
excessive

PLATES REMOVED


ROBERTSON, Grant 21/08/2017 P034 13/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 136,803
Mileage at Pass: 136,831

1. Oil leak from engine leaking onto exhaust
2. N/S/F fog light not working

Advise: O/S/F tyre worn outer edge
Advise: Both passenger doors have damage
Advise: Front bumper has damage to paintwork

PLATES REMOVED


SCOBIE, Roy 01/09/2016 P015 Not retested Mileage at Fail: 86,846

1. Excessive oil leak, leaking onto the exhaust
2. N/S/R tyre has cuts to cord

Advise: nail in tyre O/S/F
Advise: Front bumper O/S is not in the clips but still
secure
Advise: Slight damage to paintwork N/S front
bumper. Slight damage to paintwork on both
passenger doors. Slight damage to paintwork O/S/R
quarter.

PLATES REMOVED


SHIELDS, Elaine 01/03/2012 P001 10/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 152,182
Mileage at Pass: not noted

1. O/S inner CV boot leaking
2. O/S inner sill holed
3. N/S inner sill holed
4. Oil at engine mount (oil filled mount)

PLATES REMOVED


TAGGART, Michael 30/09/2013 P044 17/04/2023 Mileage at Fail: 154,711
Mileage at Pass: 154,794

1. O/S/R tyre on legal limit
2. Vehicle covered in dog hair

Advise: All tyres worn on edges
Advise: Front bumper has damage to paintwork
Advise: O/S passenger door starting to rust and
paint damage
Advise: Both passenger doors have paintwork
damage N/S

The first fella done 250 miles between failure and pass?

Is that legal?

If a cab has been deemed as a failure should they carry on working?

Just noticed it had its plate removed, but is anyone convinced those 250 miles were private?

_________________
IDFIMH

How can nail in tyre only be an advisory?

Madness.

_________________
IDFIMH

And are all these oil leaks a Scottish thing?

Why not just steam clean the bloody thing before getting it tested.

_________________
IDFIMH

It's not that long since I became aware that a nail in a tyre is only an MoT advisory

Although I suspect it might degree on the degree of damage, or whatever. But it seems it's not automatically an MoT failure.

As for the oil leaks being a 'Scottish thing', I suspect it's more of a Fife Council thing