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Jaguar XKR reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 77,521 MOT tests of cars first registered 1998–2012.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
76.0%pass first time
+12.8 ptsvs typical car
Beats 95%of cars
77,521MOT tests

Verdict

The Jaguar XKR passes its MOT first time on 76.0% of tests, 12.8 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (63.2%). That puts it ahead of 95% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2011 XKR does best (beats 98% of cars) and the 1999 worst (beats 90%).

Of its engines, the 4.2 Petrol does best (beats 94%) and the 4.0 Petrol worst (beats 93%).

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

Watch these weak spots

Ball joint dust covers1.6×as often as a typical car
ABS warning light2.0×as often as a typical car
Airbag warning light1.4×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%789101112131415161718192085%82%79%78%76%74%73%
Jaguar XKRTypical 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.

1998
Beats 92%
1999
Beats 90%
2000
Beats 91%
2001
Beats 95%
2002
Beats 91%
2003
Beats 96%
2004
Beats 96%
2005
Beats 98%
2006
Beats 95%
2007
Beats 94%
2008
Beats 91%
2009
Beats 96%
2010
Beats 96%
2011
Beats 98%
2012
Beats 97%

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
4.2 Petrol2002–200936,11774.7%Beats 94%A
4.0 Petrol1998–200221,49272.5%Beats 93%A
5.0 Petrol2009–201219,91282.2%Beats 97%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: 3.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% 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: 8.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 12.9% 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: 6.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 16.3% 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: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.0% 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: 5.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.8% 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: 6.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 16.3% 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+9.4 ptsTyres: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.0% 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+1.0 ptsBrakes: 5.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.8% 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+4.1 ptsSuspension: 8.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 12.9% 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+4.7 ptsExhaust: 3.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% 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+1.1 ptsSuspension: 8.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 12.9% 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: 5.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.8% 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: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.0% 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: 6.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 16.3% 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: 3.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% 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: 6.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 16.3% 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+9.4 ptsTyres: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.0% 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+1.0 ptsBrakes: 5.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.8% 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+4.1 ptsSuspension: 8.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 12.9% 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+4.7 ptsExhaust: 3.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% 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+1.1 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.0% 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).

Suspension
8.2% vs 12.9%
Lights & electrics
6.8% vs 16.3%
Brakes
5.7% vs 9.8%
Tyres
5.0% vs 6.0%
Emissions & leaks
3.9% vs 5.0%
Visibility
3.4% vs 6.5%
Body & structure
1.9% vs 6.1%
Steering
1.8% vs 2.5%
Seat belts & airbags
1.6% vs 1.9%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)
    Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems.
  • Engine warning light
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
  • Windscreen washers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Handbrake performance
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k88%82%79%74%72%67%64%
Jaguar XKRTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking3.6%3.4%1.1×
Ball joint dust covers2.6%1.6%1.6×
Headlight aim2.2%4.3%0.5×
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.0%2.2%0.9×
Engine warning light1.8%1.4%1.2×
Windscreen washers1.7%2.9%0.6×
Windscreen wipers1.5%3.1%0.5×
Handbrake performance1.5%2.0%0.8×
ABS warning light1.4%0.7%2.0×
Component mounting prescribed areas1.3%1.8%0.7×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc30.2
A tyre seriously damaged22.4
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements22.3
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn21.7
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction17.9
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen17.0
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer16.5
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 repaired16.4
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.

2012 Jaguar XKR1 engine84.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.0 Petrol2,89484.9%Beats 97%A
2011 Jaguar XKR1 engine84.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.0 Petrol5,86884.3%Beats 98%A
2010 Jaguar XKR1 engine80.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.0 Petrol7,49080.6%Beats 96%A
2009 Jaguar XKR2 engines79.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.0 Petrol3,66080.0%Beats 98%A
4.2 Petrol2,03777.1%Beats 92%A
2008 Jaguar XKR1 engine74.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.2 Petrol6,44174.6%Beats 91%A
2007 Jaguar XKR1 engine74.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.2 Petrol11,29574.8%Beats 94%A
2006 Jaguar XKR1 engine75.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.2 Petrol3,42775.2%Beats 95%A
2005 Jaguar XKR1 engine76.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.2 Petrol3,25076.9%Beats 98%A
2004 Jaguar XKR1 engine74.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.2 Petrol3,87174.4%Beats 96%A
2003 Jaguar XKR1 engine73.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.2 Petrol4,14773.8%Beats 96%A
2002 Jaguar XKR2 engines70.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol3,29171.5%Beats 93%A
4.2 Petrol1,64968.5%Beats 86%A
2001 Jaguar XKR1 engine73.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol5,94773.4%Beats 95%A
2000 Jaguar XKR1 engine71.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol5,13671.7%Beats 91%A
1999 Jaguar XKR1 engine72.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol4,50672.4%Beats 90%A
1998 Jaguar XKR1 engine73.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol2,61273.4%Beats 92%A

FAQ

What is the Jaguar XKR MOT pass rate?

76.0% of MOT tests on the Jaguar XKR were passed first time, based on 77,521 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1998–2012. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 63.2% of the time.

Is the Jaguar XKR 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 95% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Jaguar XKR year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2011 XKR does best for its age and mileage: it beats 98% of cars on UK roads. The 1999 does worst: it beats 90%.

Which Jaguar XKR engine is best?

Across all years, the 4.2 Petrol does best: it beats 94% of cars on UK roads. The 4.0 Petrol does worst: it beats 93%.

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

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, ball joint dust covers, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, ball joint dust covers comes up 1.6× 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.