Best car to use a private hire taxi

[inflames]

Been talking to one of friends who has just applied to for his private hire licence, what i have an interest in myself as it has been something i have been considering myself for a few years. We spent a few hours to discussing what car to purchase to use as a taxi today? He’s got a couple of months to use a base car so plenty of time to consider his opinions. What would be on your list of cars to look at?

[Greg the Fish]

Merc e class diesel.

[Greg the Fish]

There's an UBER 1 series that operates round here.

Told him to f off when he turned up to pick up four of us.

[nickofh]

I was looking at the high mileage cars for sale. Noticed a 500,000 miles + Skoda superb 2.0tdi for sale.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362598600985


A newer version of Something like that would be my choice, many local taxi drivers around me are often in a Skoda of some description.

[Coilspring]

What is your expected customer and trip type?

1 person to and from the town with shopping, or a family of 6 to and from an airport?

[SteBrown91]

Skoda superb
VW Passat/Jetta
Ford Mondeo
Toyota Avensis

That list seems to cover the majority of taxis round my way.

[snowandrocks]

Hybrid Toyotas and E220 mercs have taken over from skodas around here. The Toyota's apparently need much less maintenance and the economy is significantly better for local running about.

Camry/corolla tourer/prius if looking at new, auris/prius if secondhand. The latest generation 4 hybrids (current model prius/corolla/Camry) are significantly more economical and better to drive.

[inflames]

Around here vast majority of them are Hyundi I40’s and some are now moving over to Hybrids. From what i have been informed most of them are base cars. All the driver who own their own car are still using diesel. His budget about 15k, has to been less than 5 years old, be able to take the miles and reliable. So we sat there on AT looking, my top 3 where a Ford Mondeo, Toyota Avensis, Mercedes E220, i thought i was been realistic maybe apart from the E class. His top 3 Mercedes E220, a Ford Mondeo and left field was an Infinity Q70.

[Countdown]

snowandrocks said:

Hybrid Toyotas and E220 mercs have taken over from skodas around here. The Toyota's apparently need much less maintenance and the economy is significantly better for local running about.

Camry/corolla tourer/prius if looking at new, auris/prius if secondhand. The latest generation 4 hybrids (current model prius/corolla/Camry) are significantly more economical and better to drive.

I didn't realise you could still get a Camry in the UK - must admit it's been decades since I've seen one on the road.

[inflames]

Countdown said:

I didn't realise you could still get a Camry in the UK - must admit it's been decades since I've seen one on the road.

Yeah they just have or are about to start selling them here again in a Hybrid only i think.

[AJB88]

my dads fleet were mainly Mondeo's as they were relatively cheap to repair.

[Tabs]

Best to ask the council what you will be allowed to use. My local one has all sorts of things planned for the next few years, and you could buy something only to have to change it in a years time.
It'll hurt if finance is involved.