Police are searching for two men who assaulted a taxi driver before stealing his vehicle near Mandurah.

The men were picked up in the Perth suburb of Burswood soon after midnight and became involved in an argument with the driver near Mandurah when one tried to light a cigarette.

Police say one of the passengers punched the taxi driver in the face, forcing him to stop and abandon his vehicle on Manjoogoordup Road.

The men stole the taxi which was later found dumped at the corner of Mercedes Avenue and Galatea Street in Falcon.

Police are hoping forensic tests on the car will help identify the offenders.