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Jaguar XF reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 830,893 MOT tests of cars first registered 2008–2021.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
Jaguar XF
76.2%pass first time
+6.3 ptsvs typical car
Beats 81%of cars
830,893MOT tests

Verdict

The Jaguar XF passes its MOT first time on 76.2% of tests, 6.3 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (69.9%). That puts it ahead of 81% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2016 XF does best (beats 88% of cars) and the 2015 worst (beats 62%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Diesel does best (beats 85%) and the 2.0 Petrol worst (beats 75%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, suspension, brakes.

Watch these weak spots

Number plate lights1.5×as often as a typical car
Ball joint dust covers1.5×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%345678910111213141516171885%83%81%77%72%69%65%63%
Jaguar XFTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2008
Beats 79%
2009
Beats 82%
2010
Beats 83%
2011
Beats 85%
2012
Beats 86%
2013
Beats 85%
2014
Beats 73%
2015
Beats 62%
2016
Beats 88%
2017
Beats 86%
2018
Beats 75%
2019
Beats 66%
2020
Beats 49%
2021
Beats 55%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel2009–2019312,74673.7%Beats 82%A
2.2 Diesel2011–2015271,09776.2%Beats 77%B
2.0 Diesel2015–2021132,93084.9%Beats 85%A
2.7 Diesel2008–201056,62665.2%Beats 78%B
2.0 Petrol2017–202023,47087.7%Beats 75%B
3.0 Petrol2008–201620,89573.4%Beats 82%A
5.0 Petrol2009–20149,59579.7%Beats 96%A
4.2 Petrol2008–20083,53470.9%Beats 91%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 1.2% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 5.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 8.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 7.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 4.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 8.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+4.1 ptsTyres: 7.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.9 ptsBrakes: 4.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.9 ptsSuspension: 5.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.5 ptsExhaust: 1.2% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.6 ptsSuspension: 5.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 4.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 7.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 8.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.2% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 8.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+4.1 ptsTyres: 7.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.9 ptsBrakes: 4.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.9 ptsSuspension: 5.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.5 ptsExhaust: 1.2% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.6 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 7.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
8.0% vs 12.1%
Tyres
7.9% vs 7.0%
Suspension
5.8% vs 9.3%
Brakes
4.8% vs 6.7%
Visibility
3.7% vs 4.8%
Emissions & leaks
1.2% vs 2.8%
Body & structure
0.9% vs 3.0%
Wheels
0.6% vs 0.4%
Steering
0.5% vs 1.8%
Seat belts & airbags
0.4% vs 0.8%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Number plate lights 1.5× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Windscreen washers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k93%87%82%79%74%70%67%65%
Jaguar XFTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking4.8%3.7%1.3×
Tyre tread depth2.9%3.0%1.0×
Number plate lights2.4%1.6%1.5×
Brake pads2.3%2.3%1.0×
Headlight aim1.8%3.2%0.5×
Windscreen washers1.8%2.2%0.8×
Windscreen wipers1.7%2.1%0.8×
Ball joint dust covers1.6%1.1%1.5×
Sidelights1.6%3.0%0.5×
Headlight bulbs & units1.4%2.2%0.6×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements28.6
A tyre seriously damaged26.4
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn24.0
A tyre cords visible or damaged21.5
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps21.1
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm19.6
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc18.6
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements17.6
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2021 Jaguar XF1 engine87.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,19087.6%Beats 55%C
2020 Jaguar XF2 engines86.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel3,28185.8%Beats 51%C
2.0 Petrol1,57286.6%Beats 42%C
2019 Jaguar XF3 engines86.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol7,66287.8%Beats 72%B
2.0 Diesel7,26184.5%Beats 61%B
3.0 Diesel1,54686.0%Beats 63%B
2018 Jaguar XF3 engines86.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel19,24985.3%Beats 76%B
2.0 Petrol10,71487.6%Beats 77%B
3.0 Diesel3,86585.5%Beats 68%B
2017 Jaguar XF3 engines85.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel37,31985.8%Beats 87%A
3.0 Diesel6,91285.2%Beats 79%B
2.0 Petrol3,52288.4%Beats 86%A
2016 Jaguar XF3 engines84.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel52,17584.3%Beats 88%A
3.0 Diesel12,35584.4%Beats 84%A
3.0 Petrol2,74887.8%Beats 92%A
2015 Jaguar XF3 engines78.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel63,38777.1%Beats 56%C
2.0 Diesel12,45583.8%Beats 89%A
3.0 Diesel10,79478.9%Beats 63%B
2014 Jaguar XF3 engines77.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel69,51377.0%Beats 73%B
3.0 Diesel37,68377.4%Beats 73%B
5.0 Petrol1,84286.3%Beats 97%A
2013 Jaguar XF3 engines77.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel62,51476.7%Beats 84%A
3.0 Diesel35,02277.3%Beats 86%A
5.0 Petrol1,43383.6%Beats 97%A
2012 Jaguar XF2 engines75.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel56,51174.7%Beats 85%A
3.0 Diesel31,55975.6%Beats 87%A
2011 Jaguar XF3 engines72.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel53,29172.2%Beats 83%A
2.2 Diesel19,17273.5%Beats 87%A
5.0 Petrol2,50277.7%Beats 94%A
2010 Jaguar XF4 engines70.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel70,93969.6%Beats 83%A
3.0 Petrol12,29672.6%Beats 81%A
5.0 Petrol2,08776.3%Beats 96%A
2.7 Diesel1,54769.8%Beats 83%A
2009 Jaguar XF4 engines67.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel48,78067.8%Beats 82%A
2.7 Diesel12,59766.1%Beats 78%B
5.0 Petrol1,73176.5%Beats 98%A
3.0 Petrol1,30869.0%Beats 80%B
2008 Jaguar XF3 engines65.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.7 Diesel42,48264.8%Beats 78%B
3.0 Petrol4,54368.0%Beats 80%B
4.2 Petrol3,53470.9%Beats 91%A

FAQ

What is the Jaguar XF MOT pass rate?

76.2% of MOT tests on the Jaguar XF were passed first time, based on 830,893 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2008–2021. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 69.9% of the time.

Is the Jaguar XF reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 81% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Jaguar XF year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2016 XF does best for its age and mileage: it beats 88% of cars on UK roads. The 2015 does worst: it beats 62%.

Which Jaguar XF engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Diesel does best: it beats 85% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Petrol does worst: it beats 75%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Jaguar XF?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, tyre tread depth, number plate lights. Compared with similar cars, number plate lights comes up 1.5× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.