Of the 34 vehicles stopped, 16 were suspended from operating as taxis with eight being banned permanently due to a combination of faults and vehicle age.

Problems included corroded brake pipes, fuel leaks, broken coil springs, faulty handbrakes and chassis defects.

A council spokesman said checks were vital a time when taxis were busy and driving conditions could be dangerous.

Repairs required

Councillor Robert Wann said: "It is vitally important for citizens of Leicester that licensing staff carry out these checks, especially at Christmas when taxis are more heavily used.

"I am very pleased with the licensing staff for doing this work and it is obviously much needed looking at the results, with almost half of vehicles failing the checks."

Suspended vehicles will have to be repaired before they can return to service.

The checks, a joint operation between the council, Leicestershire Constabulary and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), were carried out in the city on 15 December.