Five taxi cabs have been taken off the road in Devon as part of a crackdown on illegal firms.
A total of 50 vehicles were stopped in Exmouth, Exeter and Honiton during a two-day operation by Devon and Cornwall Police, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), Immigration and HM Revenue and Customs fuel testing unit.
Although 23 of the vehicles were found to be in order, the other 27 were committing offences ranging from defective lights to the driver not having an identity badge. A number of the vehicles were committing more than one offence.
Police banned vehicles found with defective tyres, a loose battery, or failing to carry a first aid kit or fire extinguisher.
A police spokesman said: "Anyone who is a fare-paying passenger should expect to be able to travel in safety. For the police to put vehicles off the road immediately demonstrates how seriously we treat breaches of the regulations, but we will work hard to prevent the public being at risk.
"It is disappointing that less than half of the vehicles checked were free of any defects and we would not rule out further checks in the future."