Jaguar
S Type
23,764 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where S Types pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 8.4 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
69.1%
Pass-after-fix
4.0%
Fail
25.6%
Avg miles
94,209
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Jaguar S Type: challenging MOT record across 16,824 tests
The Jaguar S Type is a petrol-powered car sold in the UK market across multiple generations, covering a broad date range in the test population.
MOT data from 16,824 tests puts this car on a 69.2% first-time pass rate, well below the UK fleet average. Average mileage at test is 94,369 miles. The most common fail item is suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, followed by steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated.
The S Type's pass rate warrants caution in the used market. Factor in likely first-test remedial work on the common failure items and get a pre-purchase inspection that covers the specific items this car trips on most.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 24–36
Above average — worth comparing quotes before buying. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
24–36
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
Filter failures:
Hide categories
Tick a category to hide it from rankings sitewide. Saved in this browser only.
- 01
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
2,260 occurrences · 9.5% of tests
- 02
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
1,443 occurrences · 6.1% of tests
- 03
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
1,279 occurrences · 5.4% of tests
- 04
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
935 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
- 05
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
862 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 06
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
861 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 07
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
794 occurrences · 3.3% of tests
- 08
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
719 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
- 09
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
663 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
- 10
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
595 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 5 failures
£400–£1200
If every one of this S Type's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
Try the calculator
Build your own retest budget.
My Motor World · affiliate
Parts & supplies for this fix
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Motor World
Motor World Jaguar XJ8 RHD SWB 2003- Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
Motor World
Motor World Jaguar XJ8 LWB 95-2006 Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
Motor World
Motor World Jaguar XF 2008-2014 Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
Motor World
Motor World Jaguar X-Type (Diesel) 2001- Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
Click Mechanic · affiliate
Book a mobile mechanic
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
Book a mechanic at your door.
Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.
Recall history
7 UK recalls on record.
The S Type has 7 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a S Type?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a S Type and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.