How to check if ex-taxi ?

[Compo_Simmonite]

I've had a stroke to add to my other conditions so have now started to use a mobility scooter. It won't fit in any of my existing cars (Smart, Vitara, Austin Healey Sprite or Fabia hatch) so the Vitara is going and somehting like a Fiat Doblo high roof bought.
On looking most seem to be ex-taxi with intergalactic miles. Not a serious problem if the price is right and otherwise in good condition as it won't be an everyday car (Smart does that duty then Fabia if need for more seats / familly - Sprite is a toy !).
I've found a 03 Doblo 1.9 JTD with fixed wheelchair ramp / winch that seller says was previously owned by a father with disabled daughter. Fair enough but high miles (140,000) so has got me wondering if they are "massaging the truth" and it has been used as a taxi as that would be a good bargaining point for me to make an offer.

Is there any way of checking if a vehicle was previously a taxi ?

Thanks.

Paul H

[The Wookie]

Sorry to hear about your health problems, I hope things improve for you!

Easiest things to check for are those beaded seat covers in the front, CD dangling from the rear view mirror, and the radio set to an obscure MW station that you can't seem to find in any other car...

Failing that it might be easy to spot where the meter has been fitted in the front, and I'm sure someone will be able to suggest a method of checking previous owners, which might bring up a cab company

[ADEuk]

Look for evidence of a mag mount aerial (circles in the paint on the roof), check to see if the battery has mystery wires not attatched to anything, and have a root down the seat backs and in the depth of the glovebox for business cards

[Tabs]

Most private hire vehicles require a council test at least twice per year. This is normally done at an MOT station. If you can get details off the V5 and do a DVLA MOT check, more than one annual test would need further investigation. Steering wheel and seat covers, velcro fixings, new pedal rubbers, magnetic aeriels etc whilst being used as a taxi can 'hide ' heavy use.