Executive car · 1996–2017 cars
Jaguar X-Type reliability
The Jaguar X-Type fails 41.8% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 104,468 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Jaguar X-Type before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 41.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 104,468
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Jaguar X-Type ages
Each point is the share of Jaguar X-Types of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Jaguar X-Type | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 34.9% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 37.9% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 39.2% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 41.3% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 42.9% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 43.9% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 44.5% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 43.4% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 42% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 42% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 44.9% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 39.5% | 38.9% |
By year
The best and worst Jaguar X-Type years
2009 cars come out best and 2002 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 635 | 31.7% | 19% fewer fails | 95,932 |
| 2009 X-Type | 15,854 | 37% | 10% fewer fails | 100,056 |
| 2008 X-Type | 18,277 | 39.6% | 7% fewer fails | 109,902 |
| 2007 X-Type | 14,586 | 42.4% | 2% fewer fails | 111,901 |
| 2006 X-Type | 14,179 | 43.7% | 0% more fails | 110,169 |
| 2005 X-Type | 12,204 | 45.1% | 3% more fails | 107,267 |
| 2004 X-Type | 11,372 | 45.7% | 6% more fails | 98,620 |
| 2003 X-Type | 9,045 | 40.7% | 2% fewer fails | 86,383 |
| 2002 X-Type | 5,847 | 44% | 9% more fails | 85,185 |
| 2001 X-Type | 2,438 | 42.1% | 7% more fails | 82,034 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Jaguar X-Type
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 72% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension19.7%18% above avg
- Lights and electrics14.6%29% below avg
- Brakes12.9%6% above avg
- Tyres8.7%21% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.5%30% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure7.2%9% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.8%18% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags4.1%72% above avg
- Steering1.3%64% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 5.25% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 2
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 2.83% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 3
Position lamp not working 2.72% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Seat belt anchor area weakened 2.71% of tests
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
- 5
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 2.7% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too low 2.63% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 7
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.55% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 8
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.53% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Jaguar X-Type's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit14.71%
- Brake disc pitted or scored14.22%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive12.5%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion11.59%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy8.62%
- Sub-frame showing corrosion7.36%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Jaguar X-Type
- 1
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 2
Engine warning light inoperative or lit
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 3
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Seat belt anchor area weakened
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Jaguar X-Type covers about 7,900 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel66%
- Petrol34%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Blue, Black, Silver, Grey, Red
Average engine size: 2.2 litres.
Compare
How the Jaguar X-Type compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 6 Series | 18.6% | 40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Lexus IS | 22.6% | 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz CLS | 24% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo V60 | 21.6% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz CLK | 36.7% | 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo V70 | 36.2% | 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jaguar X-Type | 41.8% | about average for its age |
Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all Jaguar models.
Questions
Jaguar X-Type questions, answered
Is the Jaguar X-Type reliable?
On MOT results, the Jaguar X-Type is about average: it fails 41.8% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 39 of 40 executive car models in our index.
What fails most on a Jaguar X-Type MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Jaguar X-Type are suspension mounting area seriously corroded (5.25% of tests), engine warning light inoperative or lit (2.83% of tests), position lamp not working (2.72% of tests). By area, suspension fails 19.7% of its tests.
Which Jaguar X-Type year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2009 cars do best (10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2002 cars do worst (9% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Jaguar X-Type do a year?
A typical Jaguar X-Type covers about 7,900 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Jaguar X-Type before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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