Top Tips to Keep Your Taxi in Perfect Working Condition
Taxis may endure a tough working life but that shouldn’t have to mean early onset wear and tear, as these top tips for keeping your car ship shape demonstrate.
Hundreds if not thousands of different people will climb in and out of a taxi over its working life – some more courteous (or sober) than others – so it goes without saying that bumps, knocks and bashes will become inevitable.
Indeed, while any car serves as a costly investment, for taxi drivers a car serves multiple purposes as an ‘office’, as your source of income, as a welcome sight for revellers when the rain begins to fall and a crucial lifeline for those unable to get around easily.
So, it stands to reason that you don’t want to suffer the downtime of getting scuffs repaired or – worse – have to buy an entirely new one because yours has suffered a scrape too many.
But a bit of ‘TLC’ once in a while can do wonders to extend the life of your taxi and get it feeling like new.
After all, who doesn’t want to impress a fare paying passenger with a tidy, clean and lavish car on a trip?
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From SUVs to family cars to executive saloons, The Taxi Centre’s used stock will have the right taxi at the right price for you.
At The Taxi Centre, we want to help you find the best taxi deal possible.
We offer a selection of taxi finance options to help cover the costs of your new taxi in a way that suits your budget. Just one of the many benefits you get when buying a taxi direct from us.
We offer Hire Purchase (HP) on all of our new taxi, as well as Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) for specific models.
The Basics
Check Fluid Levels Regularly – As with any car, it is important to ensure that you carry out regular checks on fluids like oil, washer fluid and anti-freeze to ensure you don’t get caught short during a trip with a passenger.
Keep an Eye on Those Tyres – There is a good chance you’ll be completing a lot of miles on your taxi so it’s likely your tyres may be prone to wearing quicker than the norm, particularly if your vehicle is laden by heavier passengers and their luggage.
Don’t Skip Those Service Intervals – Service intervals are put in place for a reason, so it is important to stick to the manufacturer recommendations. It allows trained mechanics to spot for wear or potential damage in areas you wouldn’t normally be able to get to. By doing this, it’s more likely any issues will be caught and rectified quicker to minimise downtime.
Do a pre-MOT Check – After three years, a new vehicle will need to begin undergoing annual MOTs to ensure it can be taxed and driven legally. Many MOTs fail for fairly simple reasons that could have rectified easily and cheaply beforehand, such as replacing wiper blades, bulbs or tyres. As such, it is very much worth taking a few moments to do your own checks beforehand – it could save you a lot of time and money.
The Polish
Keep Your Taxi Looking Shiny – You only have one chance to make a first impression and since there is a strong chance you’ll only meet your fares once, keeping your taxi looking spick and span as you roll up will instil plenty of confidence.
Get the Hoover Out – A fresh interior is a comfortable interior, so while some fares may not be so courteous with the hygiene and tidiness, it can make a huge difference if you’re able to keep on top of cleanliness regardless. Regular hoovering, wiping down seats and waxing the panels will ensure it is easier to keep your taxi clean, while a spotless interior might well encourage fares to be more respectful too.
Repair the Wear and Tear – Wear and tear is inevitable – especially for taxis – but spotting where repairs or touch ups are needed before they worsen could save you money in the long run. Indeed, some wear and tear might turn into irreparable damage and leave you with a bill that could have been avoided. Keep an eye on the seating, the footwells, rear doors and any accessories in the rear (windows, cubby holes charging ports).
The Accessories
Handy Wipes – Most fares will (hopefully) respect your vehicle, but there will be occasions when you’ll be transporting a kebab-wielding reveller at 2am or driving a family with children and their mucky fingers. As such, keeping a packet of wet wipes will be useful to wash down any surfaces after a fare has exited – as well as be useful for any passengers that need to wash their hands.
Refreshments – It’s a nice touch to offer complimentary products such as water or chewing gum to passengers – it’s generous, friendly and the sign of attentive service.
Ambient Lighting – Such a feature may be available already in your car, but if not, then some subtly placed lighting can offer a more ambient passenger experience, especially on long journeys. Alternatively, if they’re in a merry mood, stick those lights on freestyle and get the party started!