Verdict
Jaguars pass their MOT first time on 76.1% of tests, against 70.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. That beats 78% of cars on UK roads and ranks Jaguar 7th of 40 makes: well ahead of mainstream makes such as Ford and Vauxhall, though behind Porsche and Lexus.
The F-Type does best, beating 98% of cars, with the I-Pace and XK at 97%, the XKR 95%, the XJ 93% and the older XK8 92%. Of the most common models, the XF beats 81%, the E-Pace 79%, the F-Pace 75% and the XE 61%.
The X-Type is the one to check most carefully: it beats 56% of cars, about average for its age. Every other Jaguar beats at least six in ten cars.
Jaguars fail less often than a typical car in almost every area: body and structure about half as often, steering and lights and electrics more than a third less, and suspension, visibility and brakes between a fifth and a quarter less. Tyres fail about as often as on a typical car, on about 1 in 15 tests. The I-Pace is electric: it has no exhaust emissions test, which flatters it a little, and the MOT does not test its battery or motor, so ask for a battery health report.
Where it fails
Every Jaguar compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Jaguar models
Models with 20,000+ MOT tests, 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. Light vans are included and tend to grade lower, partly from hard commercial use.
| Model first registered | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| XF 2008–2021 | 76.2% | Beats 81% | A |
| X-Type 2001–2010 | 56.7% | Beats 56% | C |
| XE 2015–2021 | 81.7% | Beats 61% | B |
| F-Pace 2016–2023 | 85.3% | Beats 75% | B |
| XJ 1995–2019 | 75.6% | Beats 93% | A |
| S-Type 1999–2007 | 62.1% | Beats 71% | B |
| E-Pace 2018–2022 | 87.8% | Beats 79% | B |
| F-Type 2013–2021 | 91.0% | Beats 98% | A |
| I-Pace 2018–2023 | 91.5% | Beats 97% | A |
| XKR 1998–2012 | 76.0% | Beats 95% | A |
| XK 2006–2015 | 80.8% | Beats 97% | A |
| XK8 1996–2005 | 72.5% | Beats 92% | A |
FAQ
What is Jaguar's MOT pass rate?
76.1% of Jaguar MOT tests were passed first time, from 2.7 million tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 70.7%, so Jaguar is well above average.
Are Jaguars reliable?
On MOT results, yes: Jaguar beats 78% of cars on UK roads and ranks 7th of 40 makes. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Jaguar models are most reliable?
The F-Type, I-Pace and XK beat almost every car on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account, and the XKR, XJ and XK8 more than nine in ten. Of the most common models, the XF and E-Pace beat about eight in ten and the F-Pace three in four.
Which Jaguar should I avoid?
The X-Type is the weakest Jaguar, beating 56% of cars, about average for its age. Every other model does better than average.
What are the most common MOT failures on Jaguars?
Lights and electrics and suspension (each about 1 in 14 tests), tyres (about 1 in 15) and brakes. All but tyres fail less often than on a typical car.