Yet some owners want the rules relaxed so that vehicles are tested less frequently in future.

A report by council's licensing services manager Sarah Richardson shows that during 2007, a total of 1,277 licensed taxis and hackney carriages were tested to see how roadworthy they were – and 33 per cent failed to pass first time.

Relaxing the rules would be a move which Calderdale Council's transport manager Paul Topham described as retrograde.

And one he believes could put at risk the safety of passengers and other road users.

"The maintenance cost of vehicles over five years old tends to increase significantly as parts and materials on the vehicle deteriorate or fail.

"You would find taxi operators and vehicles owners would use this as an excuse to procure older vehicles which would reduce the quality of taxi provision."

He recommended in a report to the council's licensing committee on Monday, to stick to tests every four months for vehicles over six years old, which has been the norm since 1990.

Committee member Allen Clegg (Ind, Warley) said that over the years the rules about taxi provision were constantly being tightened and relaxed.

"There is a need for compromise and I would like to hear the arguments before we make any further changes," he said.

Mohammed Siddique, who runs a fleet of cars from Dean Clough, Halifax, said public safety was paramount.

"But when you have paid £8,000 for a car and £4,000 a year to insure it, you don't want to be having tests more often than is really necessary."

Mr Siddique has only one vehicle that is over six years old and until now has had to pay £52.50 for each test but the bill will go up to £59.85 in April.

In Bradford, older taxis take two tests a year costing £80 each, in Leeds three tests are required and in Kirklees only one a year, for a fee of £40.

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