Executive car · 2007–2021 cars
Jaguar XE reliability
The Jaguar XE fails 17.4% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 159,939 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Jaguar XE before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 17.4%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 12% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 159,939
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,800
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Jaguar XE is worth checking carefully rather than dismissing. Between 2022 and 2024, 17.4% of Jaguar XE cars failed their first MOT, against 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 12% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. It ranks 37 of 40 executive car models. Year matters: 2015 was best, with 20% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 2019 was weakest, with 13% more.
Tyres are the weak area, with 11% more fails there than comparable cars. Check tread first, as tyres below 1.6mm fail on 1.72% of tests. Look at the brake pads too, since pads worn below 1.5mm fail on 1.62% of tests. Make sure the wipers clear the windscreen and the stop lamps work, as both are joint most common failures at 2.04% of tests each.
MOT fail rate by age
How the Jaguar XE ages
Each point is the share of Jaguar XEs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Jaguar XE | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 16% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 15.4% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 16.4% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 17.8% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 18% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 19.1% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 19.5% | 28.8% |
By year
The best and worst Jaguar XE years
2015 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 612 | 15.7% | 39% more fails | 24,142 |
| 2020 XE | 3,900 | 13% | 6% more fails | 27,165 |
| 2019 XE | 14,486 | 15.7% | 13% more fails | 33,667 |
| 2018 XE | 20,993 | 16.3% | 4% more fails | 39,736 |
| 2017 XE | 40,317 | 16% | 14% fewer fails | 49,989 |
| 2016 XE | 46,671 | 18.7% | 15% fewer fails | 60,254 |
| 2015 XE | 32,954 | 19.3% | 20% fewer fails | 64,082 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Jaguar XE
Its weak spot is tyres: 11% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres6.4%11% above avg
- Lights and electrics4.6%20% below avg
- Brakes3.6%9% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.2%9% below avg
- Suspension1.6%59% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.4%6% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.5%28% above avg
- Wheels0.4%29% above avg
- Number plates and VIN0.3%5% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.04% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Stop lamp not working 2.04% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.72% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.62% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.15% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.96% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 7
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.84% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
- 8
Diesel engine warning light faulty 0.61% of tests
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Jaguar XE's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit11.89%
- Brake disc pitted or scored10.63%
- Brake pads wearing thin8.34%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.45%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit1.64%
- Tyre has a shallow cut1.55%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Jaguar XE
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 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 XE covers about 8,800 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
- Diesel73%
- Petrol27%
- Hybrid0%
- Other0%
Most common colours
Black, Red, Blue, Grey, White
Average engine size: 2.0 litres.
Compare
How the Jaguar XE 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 |
| 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 XE | 17.4% | 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 XE questions, answered
Is the Jaguar XE reliable?
On MOT results, the Jaguar XE is about average: it fails 17.4% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 37 of 40 executive car models in our index.
What fails most on a Jaguar XE MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Jaguar XE are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.04% of tests), stop lamp not working (2.04% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.72% of tests). By area, tyres fails 6.4% of its tests.
Which Jaguar XE year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2015 cars do best (20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2019 cars do worst (13% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Jaguar XE do a year?
A typical Jaguar XE covers about 8,800 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 XE 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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