Identify used cars that have been used as taxis

A liquidated taxi will make the buyer feel insecure about the quality of the car, because the owner will refurbish the taxi to make it look nice to hide quality defects such as collisions and crashes.

Then they sell it as a “family used car” for tens, even hundreds of millions of dong more. This creates a lot of concern for customers who buy cars but have a tight budget.

Normally, cars used as taxis have holes punched in the dashboard surface to install fare meters, as well as sensors on the doors. Therefore, except for the case of replacing the entire dashboard, taxi cars will still have more or less plastic weld marks on the dashboard or door panels.

Taxis will have a badge on the roof/hood for identification. This has been regulated by the Ministry of Transport for taxi business vehicles. Therefore, the paint under the badge will often fade less than the remaining area. In addition, the weld on the roof of the car due to the hole punched to attach the badge is also a basis that needs attention.

The vehicle registration will clearly show whether the vehicle is registered for the first time or not. If the date of first registration and the date signed on the vehicle registration do not match, it means the vehicle has been registered for the second time or more. When the buyer discovers this, he/she needs to verify the first owner of the vehicle being sold.

Normally, a reformed taxi will be repainted to upgrade to a “family car”. Car buyers will also easily detect this through the paint color under the car floor and engine compartment. If there is a difference with the exterior paint, it proves that the car has been repainted.

The main interior will usually contain many bases for car buyers to determine whether a “reformed taxi” or not. Look at the deterioration of the gear lever, steering wheel, worn buttons, electric window buttons, etc.

In addition, the window hinges are still secure, the play of the joints, the wear of the felt or leather seats, the seams on the doors or hood also need to be checked. Car buyers also need to pay attention to whether the marks on the screws are still there or not, if they are faded, it means that the parts on the car have been replaced after the car has been in a collision or a serious crash.

In addition, there are other tips such as popular car models will have a higher rate of “reformed taxis” than luxury cars. Manual transmission versions will also be higher than automatic transmission versions.