Why understanding your second-hand taxi’s true value matters more than ever
- Perry Richardson
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Having a clear grasp of a taxi’s real market value is becoming an essential part of running a vehicle operation, particularly for drivers and fleet owners looking to sell, upgrade or refinance.
According to a recent analysis published in TAXI Newspaper by a taxi fleet expert, misjudging a vehicle’s worth is now one of the fastest ways to derail negotiations and delay business decisions.
“It’s vital to have a grasp of your cab’s value, especially when looking to sell up. You don’t want any unnecessary surprises when it comes to all-important negotiations,” the columnist wrote, setting out the commercial reality facing today’s second-hand taxi market.
The warning comes against a backdrop of subdued new vehicle supply. The article notes that December 2025 saw “only 21 new cabs joining the ranks, down from 36 last year”, reinforcing the point that overall fleet numbers are “holding steady at just under 14,000”. While that stability may appear positive, the expert argues it masks deeper issues around ageing vehicles and unrealistic expectations of resale values.
Accurate valuations are becoming critical as fleet growth stalls, buyer demand narrows and assumptions about vehicle worth are increasingly challenged.
One example cited involved a Euro VI TX4 diesel with slightly higher mileage and just weeks left on its plate. The author valued the cab “at around the £16k mark”, reflecting reduced demand from garages and fleets still operating diesel vehicles. The owner, however, was “convinced the cab was worth nearer the £23k region”, insisting that “everyone wants these”. The gap proved to be too big and no deal was done.
That disconnect between perceived and actual value is becoming increasingly common. The pool of buyers has narrowed as drivers transition away from diesel, while regulatory uncertainty around conversions and vehicle lifespan extensions continues to affect pricing.
For cabbies, the commercial implications of incorrectly valuing your four-wheeled asset can have a big impact. Overvaluing an asset can stall sales and delay reinvestment. Agreeing to disagree does not move vehicles or businesses forward. Understanding what the market will actually pay, rather than what a driver believes a cab should be worth, is now a fundamental part of managing a taxi operation responsibly.
