The units had a long career, with a few examples remaining in service until 2000, three years beyond their intended withdrawal date.

Although never assigned to it, the 1959 trains are also known to have run occasional service on the Jubilee line following its 1979 split from the Bakerloo.

In the early 1970s, red stabling lights were added next to the units' twin headlamps when the use of oil tail lamps were withdrawn.

Minor refurbishment of the stock took place, painting the blue/grey interiors white and replacing some of the seat moquettes, while safety modifications and line identity schemes were retrofitted to the units.

[3] This was done in a haphazard manner, the white interiors becoming very dirty inside by 1998, and with a failure rate that had risen to 1 in 1,864 miles (3,000 kilometres), the 1959 Stock was in urgent need of replacement.

Withdrawal of the 1959 Stock was a drawn-out affair, and when the last example was withdrawn on 27 January 2000, it was the last remaining tube train to be crewed with a motorman and a guard.