If you’re a taxi driver in need of a new set of wheels, or trying to get a start in the industry, you’ll want to follow these top tips to make sure your pick for a new cab is up to the task: Capacity is king You can’t have too many seats—empty space is no problem at all but not having enough can lose you potential customers. Moving passengers and their luggage from A to B is what a taxi does, so you need a rig that’s ready for anything. But there’s more to it than just having the space and the seats; you also want to think about accessibility. A cab that’s wheelchair accessible just opens the door to even more customers. The best way to get a vehicle that can handle all your needs is to buy a purpose built model like the Peugeot E7 or the Ford Journey. You can get these from specialised retailers like Cab Direct, who also carry standard cars fit for use as cabs. Be cautious buying used Buying used can be a great way to get more bang for your buck as long as you’re careful. You need a machine that can work as hard as you do so making sure everything’s in good working order is a must. The best way to do this is to buy a used taxi that’s been factory refurbished—again, you can do this through Cab Direct—but failing that you’ll need to get a full inspection from a qualified expert before you buy. You should also think about lifespan. These days an average vehicle lasts about eight years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. Again, a refurbished model will push those figures back a little, but you still want to know how long you can expect the car to last when you’re driving it all day, so make sure you get the year of manufacture and mileage. Don’t worry about the look As far as appearances go, all you need to worry about is looking professional, and that means keeping the car relatively clean inside and out. Otherwise privilege the other factors we’ve talked about. That family of holidaymakers with fifteen suitcases will appreciate the extra space over the sleek lines of a sporty little speedster. Follow these tips and you’ll have no problems.