Nineteen of 168 taxis and private hire cars tested in West Fife during July, August and September failed at the first inspection, the Dunfermline Press reported. The first-time pass rate fell from 98% to 89%. All 19 vehicles passed a re-test.
Fife Council's Regulation and Licensing Committee met in Conference Room 2 at Fife House, Glenrothes, on Tuesday 10 November 2026. Billy Ferguson, the fleet operations service manager, described an exhaust leak he had not seen before. Fumes from a West Fife taxi had entered the cab, and another vehicle had a sliding door operating with string.
"All the seats were black with soot.
"While these results are concerning, I would like to congratulate those operators whose vehicles achieved first time passes for their continued commitment to maintaining vehicles to the high standard expected.
"The reduction in performance highlights the need for increased attention to maintenance.
"Vehicles are expected to be maintained to the highest standard at all times to ensure continued compliance and safety."
What the committee decided
Convener Councillor Tom Adams called 19 failures a large disappointment in an area that had normally done well. One operator was responsible for four of the cars. Another was responsible for five.
"This is quite disappointing for me when you consider the West Fife area has normally been pretty good with their tests.
"This is quite a large disappointment to see 19 of them have failed.
"Especially when I look at them and half of them are coming from two operators.
"That is absolutely disgraceful that operators where that is their whole business would send vehicles in for a test that are in such a state."
Councillor Carol Lindsay asked for the operators to be brought before the committee.
"The last inspection was in March 2026 and they have dropped by nine per cent.
"It is not acceptable. Some of the reasons, exhaust fumes, oil leak in engine and one regarding a sliding door operating by string, are not acceptable."
Councillor David MacDiarmid agreed that the operators should appear.
"Tyres, exhaust fumes going into the cab, that is absolutely disgraceful.
"I have not seen anything as bad as this in many, many years."
The committee agreed Lindsay's motion to bring three of the operators or drivers before it. Others who failed are to undergo random tests and attend a meeting with the convener and vice convener.
Kirkcaldy
In Kirkcaldy, 106 of 108 vehicles passed first time, a rate of 98%. The two failures later passed on re-test.