MORE than a third of cabs are still failing random vehicle checks more than two years after Bradford Council introduced short-notice inspections, it has emerged.

A total of 44 out of 114 of these vehicles, or 39 per cent, failed the random inspections, carried out at up to 24 hours notice, between February 1 last year and January 30 this year.

This compares to 41 per cent that failed random inspections between August 12, 2013 and February 12, 2014.

Today, Bradford Council warned that it was "intensifying its focus" on the random test failure rate, while Bradford Private Hire Liaison Service described random testing as unfair and called for up to 48 hours' notice for drivers.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "Representatives and operators continue to work closely with officers as the Service intensifies its focus on more serious vehicle failures and random test failure rate."

Of the most recent failures, 15 per cent received free re-tests for minor failure points and 24 per cent had multiple minor or more serious failure points.

Meanwhile, it has also been revealed that a quarter of cabs still do not pass planned tests first time, although the Council said that was an improvement on previous years.

Over the last year, Bradford Council carried out 2,850 annual tests, which had an overall 74 per cent pass rate.

This worked out as a ten per cent improvement in vehicle pass rates compared to the previous year.

But 467 vehicles failed on non-serious points and were re-tested for free.

Meanwhile, ten per cent failed on multiple minor points, or more serious points, and one vehicle failed on a serious safety critical point.

Minor faults on vehicles could include door sticker or visor missing, a side light out, a serious fault could be brakes, steering, suspension or more than five minor faults.

A Bradford Council spokesman said each test is assessed individually and where it is appropriate vehicles are removed from service. Random testing applies to vehicles which are over six years old.

Council officials say the improvement is in part a result of the joint working between the hire care, private hire service and the Association Trade Representatives, who represent the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Trades, as well as Private Hire Operators who are licensed within the Bradford district.

Bradford Council introduced the random checks in March 2013 and said if vehicles were found to have minor faults, the policy is to fix them and re-test. Those with a serious safety critical fault would be suspended and re-tested before being allowed back on the road.

Khurram Shehzad, Bradford Private Hire Liaison Service chairman, has called for up to 48 hours notice for drivers and cab firms from Bradford Council ahead of the inspection.

He said: "I don't think the random inspections are fair for drivers and firms.

"Drivers do maintain their vehicles on a daily basis and do record any minor faults.

"I think the council should give at least two days notice, rather than 12 or 24 hours.

"But the overall ten per cent improvement is pleasing.

"They are due to Bradford Council educating the taxi operators about checking their vehicles.

"All drivers have to carry out weekly checks on their vehicles.

"We do still need to improve on certain things with maintenance of cars.

"I am encouraged by these figures and I think we are going in the right direction.

"The cars on the road should be right at all times."

Shabbir Muir, a Hackney Carriage Owners and Drivers Association committee member, says the drivers have a responsibility to make sure all vehicles are roadworthy.

He said: "The council have a job to do to protect the public.

"We don't have any opposition to their testing policy.

"Our job is to make sure the cars are roadworthy.

"We encourage our drivers to make sure our vehicles are checked.

"We would agree that safety comes first for drivers and passengers.

"After two years, I think the random inspection scheme is still a work in progress."