Jaguar XKR MOT pass rate and common problems
82.4% of 15,521 Jaguar XKR MOT tests pass.
At 82.4%, the XKR passes slightly less often than the average across all Jaguar models (85.1%).
The Jaguar XKR has a pass rate of 82.4%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Jaguar XKR?
This is the average across every Jaguar XKR 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 88.1% at 10–15 years to 80.2% 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 (15) | 15 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 88.1% | 4,330 | 59,673 miles |
| 15+ years | 80.2% | 11,176 | 77,397 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Jaguar XKR
The most common reason the Jaguar XKR fails its MOT is suspension — present in 57.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 57.2% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 34.0% | Not working |
| Brakes | 32.2% | Warning lamp indicates an abs fault |
| Tyres | 19.7% | Has ply or cords exposed |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 16.8% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Visibility | 15.0% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 12.2% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Body, chassis, structure | 10.3% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.8% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Jaguar XKR: what to check
These checks follow the Jaguar XKR’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 XKR comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 88.1% to 80.2%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 78.4% down to 70.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 57.2% of failed Jaguar XKR 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. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 34.0% of failed Jaguar XKR MOTs. 8.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 4.2% at 10–15 years.
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.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 32.2% of failed Jaguar XKR MOTs. 8.5% 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.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 19.7% of failed Jaguar XKR MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 16.8% of failed Jaguar XKR MOTs. 4.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 0.8% at 10–15 years.
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.
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 F-Type — 94.3% pass rate
- Jaguar S-Type — 67.9% pass rate
- Jaguar XK — 86.1% pass rate
- Jaguar XK8 — 79.2% pass rate
- Jaguar XJS — 83.0% pass rate
- Jaguar XJR — 80.8% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Jaguar XKR?
- 82.4% of Jaguar XKR MOT tests pass, based on 15,521 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Jaguar XKR?
- The most common reason the Jaguar XKR fails its MOT is suspension — present in 57.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt".
- What are the common problems with the Jaguar XKR?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Jaguar XKR are suspension; lights and electrics; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Jaguar XKR?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; exhaust, emissions and leaks. 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 XKR'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.