Jaguar XK8 MOT pass rate and common problems
79.2% of 13,639 Jaguar XK8 MOT tests pass.
The XK8 passes 79.2% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Jaguar models (85.1%).
The Jaguar XK8's pass rate of 79.2% is in line with the national average for cars, at 79.2%.
Own this Jaguar XK8?
This is the average across every Jaguar XK8 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Jaguar’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 84.8% at 10–15 years to 79.2% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 84.8% | 46 | 63,070 miles |
| 15+ years | 79.2% | 13,591 | 86,009 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Jaguar XK8
The most common reason the Jaguar XK8 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 55.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 55.0% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Brakes | 44.2% | Warning lamp indicates an abs fault |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 42.6% | Not working |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 26.0% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Body, chassis, structure | 20.7% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Visibility | 14.7% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 14.2% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 7.2% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 4.3% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Jaguar XK8: what to check
These checks follow the Jaguar XK8’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Jaguar XK8 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 84.8% to 79.2%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 82.1% down to 75.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 55.0% of failed Jaguar XK8 MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 44.2% of failed Jaguar XK8 MOTs. 10.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 2.2% at 10–15 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 42.6% of failed Jaguar XK8 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 10.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 26.0% of failed Jaguar XK8 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 6.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 20.7% of failed Jaguar XK8 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 5.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Jaguar service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Jaguar models
- Jaguar S-Type — 67.9% pass rate
- Jaguar XK — 86.1% pass rate
- Jaguar XKR — 82.4% pass rate
- Jaguar XJS — 83.0% pass rate
- Jaguar XJR — 80.8% pass rate
- Jaguar F-Pace Rdynamic — 92.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Jaguar XK8?
- 79.2% of Jaguar XK8 MOT tests pass, based on 13,639 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Jaguar XK8?
- The most common reason the Jaguar XK8 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 55.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength".
- What are the common problems with the Jaguar XK8?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Jaguar XK8 are suspension; brakes; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Jaguar XK8?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; brakes; lights and electrics; exhaust, emissions and leaks; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Jaguar XK8's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Jaguar service history guide for how to check and keep one.