When starting out as a taxi driver or assembling your fleet, your choice of vehicle is probably one of the most important decisions you’ll make. From practical considerations such as how many seats you’ll need, to considerations such as whether or not to go electric – the decision is often far from simple.
If you’re looking to expand your fleet on the back of lockdown restrictions easing, we’ve put together a handy guide of things to consider when purchasing a new taxi.
Things to consider before buying a vehicle
Reliability
If buying a taxi, then you’ll want something reliable. As your livelihood depends on it, if you’re constantly having to put your taxi in for repairs, then not only will this eat into your profits, but it also puts you out of action while it’s getting fixed.
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Efficiency
So you’ll want a car that is as economical as possible. If you want to go the extra mile, electric cars are up to 70% cheaper to run than traditional petrol or diesel cars.
If you don’t want to go fully electric, there are a wide range of hybrid cars on the market that give you the best of both worlds.
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Comfort
You’ll have customers sitting in the seats all day, every day so you’ll want to ensure they’re in for a comfortable ride. Ask yourself whether you’d be happy traveling in that car. Is there enough leg room? Can you fit in a few bags?
If not, you may need to reconsider.
Insurance
Last but not least, any taxi you buy you’ll have to insure. There are 50 different insurance groups that your car may fall into, so it’s best to avoid those with the highest premiums.
What are the best vehicles for taxi drivers?
If you’re still struggling for ideas, to help you refine your taxi search, we’ve put together a list of the best cars on the market for taxi drivers.
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Toyota Prius – if you’re looking for a low emission and fuel-efficient car, then a Prius is a great option. With a hybrid engine, you’ll be cruising through city centers with ease.
- Mercedes E-Class – if you’re on the lookout for comfort, then you may want to consider an E-Class. Packed with high-tech features and comfortable seats, it’s easy to see why they’re so popular.
- Skoda Octavia – As you’ll be doing more miles than the average driver, you’ll need a car that can keep up. The Skoda Octavia will do just that – reliable and economical, it’s perfect for the job.
- Hyundai i20 – This roomy hatchback has plenty of space for your passengers, whilst also being cheap to insure. Combine that with the fact it’s a dream to drive, and you could be on to a winner.
And now the decision is yours. Although we’ve put together our top recommendations, what car you pick is up to you. You’re bound to be drawn to some cars more than others for your fleet, which is perfectly fine!
Which one will you choose?