Verdict
The Jaguar XK8 passes its MOT first time on 72.5% of tests, 12.2 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (60.3%). That puts it ahead of 92% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.
By year of first registration, the 2005 XK8 does best (beats 97% of cars) and the 1996 worst (beats 79%).
Better than average on suspension, lights & electrics, brakes.
Watch these weak spots
MOT pass rate by age
First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.
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.
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.
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 Petrol | 71.8% | Beats 89% | A |
| 4.2 Petrol | 74.2% | Beats 96% | 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.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Buying one or MOT due? Check these
- Exhaust emissions (catalyst)
Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems. - Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left. - Handbrake performance
Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope. - Tyre damage & cracking
Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre. - Windscreen washers
Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail. - Suspension arm bushes
Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
Pass rate by mileage
First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.
Most common MOT failures
| Item | This car | Typical | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhaust emissions (catalyst) | 3.1% | 3.7% | 0.8× |
| Component mounting prescribed areas | 3.1% | 3.6% | 0.9× |
| ABS warning light | 3.1% | 0.9% | 3.3× |
| Headlight aim | 2.5% | 4.9% | 0.5× |
| Handbrake performance | 2.3% | 2.7% | 0.9× |
| Tyre damage & cracking | 2.1% | 3.0% | 0.7× |
| Windscreen washers | 1.8% | 3.2% | 0.6× |
| Brake pipes | 1.8% | 2.5% | 0.7× |
| Windscreen wipers | 1.7% | 3.7% | 0.5× |
| Suspension arm bushes | 1.7% | 1.3% | 1.3× |
Specific defects found
Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.
| Defect | per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| 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 | 38.4 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 33.2 |
| Warning device shows system malfunction | 30.7 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 25.3 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 22.9 |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 18.4 |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 16.9 |
| Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 15.9 |
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.
2005 Jaguar XK81 engine76.5% passA
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 Petrol | 76.5% | Beats 97% | A |
2004 Jaguar XK81 engine75.1% passA
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 Petrol | 75.1% | Beats 97% | A |
2003 Jaguar XK81 engine72.7% passA
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 Petrol | 72.7% | Beats 95% | A |
2002 Jaguar XK82 engines72.2% passA
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 Petrol | 73.6% | Beats 96% | A |
| 4.2 Petrol | 70.5% | Beats 92% | A |
2001 Jaguar XK81 engine73.5% passA
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 Petrol | 73.5% | Beats 95% | A |
2000 Jaguar XK81 engine70.0% passA
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 Petrol | 70.0% | Beats 86% | A |
1999 Jaguar XK81 engine70.6% passA
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 Petrol | 70.6% | Beats 86% | A |
1998 Jaguar XK81 engine71.2% passA
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 Petrol | 71.2% | Beats 86% | A |
1997 Jaguar XK81 engine72.6% passA
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 Petrol | 72.6% | Beats 86% | A |
1996 Jaguar XK81 engine70.6% passB
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 Petrol | 70.6% | Beats 79% | B |
FAQ
What is the Jaguar XK8 MOT pass rate?
72.5% of MOT tests on the Jaguar XK8 were passed first time, based on 60,440 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1996–2005. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 60.3% of the time.
Is the Jaguar XK8 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 92% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Jaguar XK8 year is best?
Among years with enough data, the 2005 XK8 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 97% of cars on UK roads. The 1996 does worst: it beats 79%.
What are the most common MOT failures on the Jaguar XK8?
The most common failure items are exhaust emissions (catalyst), component mounting prescribed areas, ABS warning light. Compared with similar cars, ABS warning light comes up 3.3× as often.