Used buying checklist
Jaguar Xk reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Jaguar Xk looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 14.0% of 9,630 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 14.0% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 58,229 miles
- 1,343 failed MOT tests analysed
Suspension and steering is the clearest area to check
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (29.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated, ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt, and ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
- ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt
- corroded and seriously weakened
- ferrule excessively corroded
- excessively corroded
- ferrule excessively corroded and likely to fail
- adversely affected by the operation of another lamp
- for LED or HID headlamp inoperative
Focus on suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical
The model's recorded failure rate is 14.0%, -4.8 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed9,630 tests
- Median tested mileage58,229 miles
- Failed MOT tests1,343
Should you buy a used Jaguar Xk?
86.1% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 14.0%, -4.8 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical
- suspension and steering appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (29.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Jaguar Xk, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
The MOT failure rate rises from 0.0% at 3-6 years to 17.3% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (29.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (17.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (7.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (4.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Jaguar Xk, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (29.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Jaguar Xk mainly involve 6 areas: windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and seatbelts and safety systems. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Jaguar Xk, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 3,825 | 3,300 | 10.1%-0.8 percentage points vs all models | 33,513 miles |
| 50-100k | 4,456 | 3,664 | 15.6%-5.2 percentage points vs all models | 69,909 miles |
| 100-150k | 1,152 | 915 | 19.8%-6.4 percentage points vs all models | 115,642 miles |
| 150-200k | 128 | 97 | 22.7%-4.6 percentage points vs all models | 162,652 miles |
| 200k+ | 17 | 11 | 29.4%+2.8 percentage points vs all models | 224,452 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Jaguar Xk, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 0.0% at 3-6 years to 17.3% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 17.3% for 15+ years cars, based on 4,267 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
5 | 5 | 0.0%-10.6 percentage points vs all models | 4.3 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
1,953 | 1,727 | 8.7%-7.9 percentage points vs all models | 9.1 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
3,405 | 2,880 | 12.8%-10.7 percentage points vs all models | 12.6 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
4,267 | 3,474 | 17.3%-8.6 percentage points vs all models | 16.7 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2015-01-23 | PARKING LIGHTS MAY NOT FUNCTION AS INTENDED Front side lights when used as parking lights should remain illuminated until the battery is exhausted. On affected vehicles they may extinguish after a period of time. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and update the software. |
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| 2014-04-04 | DIRECTIONAL CONTROL MAY BE COMPROMISED A concern has been identified where in the event of prolonged aggressive driving it is possible that the rear toe link will separate from the rear sub-frame. In this event vehicle stability will be compromised and degree of directional control minimised which increases the risk of an accident. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the nut and washer assembly on the rear toe link with components of revised design. |
| 2011-06-10 | POWER ASSISTANCE MAY BE LOST - FIRE RISK The corrosion protection on certain power steering pipes may not be to specification. This could result in pin holes being formed which can leak power steering fluid. Should the power steering fluid contact hot surfaces there is a possibility that fire could occur. Recalled vehicles will have the affected power assisted steering fluid pipes replaced. |
| 2010-08-23 | ENGINE MAY CUT OUT The engine may cut out due to insufficient fuel being supplied. The fuel pump relay may not be energised following an engine start up cycle in which case the in-tank fuel pump will deliver insufficient fuel for the engine to run correctly. Recalled vehicles will be re-programmed with revised software to ensure that when the engine is running the in-tank fuel pump relay remains energised. |
| 2008-07-02 | DRIVER SEAT SIDE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY It has been identified that on the subject vehicles the side airbags are not defined as passenger and driver but as left and right hand. This has resulted in all vehicles being configured as left hand drive and therefore the system believes the right hand front seat to be the passenger seat. This can result in the driver's side airbag failing to deploy when required due to the system believing that the driver's seat is unoccupied. Recalled vehicles will have the control module on all right hand drive vehicles re-configured. |
| 2004-03-02 | AUTO GEARBOX MAY ENGAGE REVERSE WHEN IN FORWARD DRIVE. (a) In conditions of low oil pressure or a sticking valve in the gearbox with the vehicle stationary in Drive the gearbox will without warning or indication select Reverse. (b) With the vehicle moving forward in 1st 2nd or 3rd gear reverse may be selected without any manual input in the event of a loss of oil pressure in the transmission. Reprogramme the gearbox gear selector module. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Jaguar Xk. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Jaguar reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.