Executive car · 2003–2021 cars

Jaguar XF reliability

The Jaguar XF fails 23.1% of first MOT tests, 23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 358,263 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 71/100#26 of 40 executive cars

Checking a Jaguar XF before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 23.1%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 23% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 358,263; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 8,900; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Jaguar XF does better than average for its age and mileage. It has 23% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, based on 358,263 tests from 2022 to 2024. Its first-time fail rate is 23.1%, against 28.4% for all cars. It ranks 26 of 40 executive car models. The 2016 models did best, with 34% fewer fails than comparable cars. The 2020 models were about average.

Tyres are the weak spot, with 9% more fails than comparable cars. Check the tread, as tread below 1.6mm failed 2.25% of tests. Look for exposed ply or cords, which failed 1.71% of tests, and for brake pads worn below 1.5mm, which failed 1.8%. Check the registration plate lamp too, as 1.66% of tests failed on it. Any worn tyres or brakes are a fair reason to ask for a lower price.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Jaguar XF ages

Each point is the share of Jaguar XFs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Jaguar XFAll cars

Jaguar XF first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Jaguar XF	All cars
3	13.6%	12.3%
4	12.7%	14.1%
5	13.2%	16.4%
6	15.2%	19.1%
7	17.5%	22.1%
8	20.6%	25.5%
9	23%	28.8%
10	24.7%	31.8%
11	26.2%	34.6%
12	28.5%	37.3%
13	31.5%	39.5%
14	33.1%	41.1%
15	35%	42.3%
16	35.1%	42.9%

By year

The best and worst Jaguar XF years

2016 cars come out best and 2020 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Jaguar XF MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021	290	8.3%	22% fewer fails	21,250
2020 XF	3,042	12.7%	1% more fails	28,321
2019 XF	10,347	13.2%	6% fewer fails	33,748
2018 XF	21,581	12.6%	19% fewer fails	39,779
2017 XF	26,482	13.6%	28% fewer fails	51,382
2016 XF	32,271	14.6%	34% fewer fails	61,664
2015 XF	35,672	21%	17% fewer fails	69,014
2014 XF	43,790	22.6%	21% fewer fails	77,218
2013 XF	39,738	23.9%	25% fewer fails	84,168
2012 XF	35,412	24.8%	28% fewer fails	90,974
2011 XF	29,425	27.6%	26% fewer fails	95,821
2010 XF	33,672	30.4%	22% fewer fails	99,443
2009 XF	25,288	33.3%	20% fewer fails	107,306
2008 XF	20,998	35%	18% fewer fails	109,478
2007	240	37.1%	14% fewer fails	103,430

Common problems

What fails most on a Jaguar XF

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics7.5%37% below avg
Tyres7.4%9% above avg
Suspension6.2%37% below avg
Brakes5%27% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.4%27% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.3%58% below avg
Body, chassis and structure0.9%72% below avg
Wheels0.6%38% above avg
Steering0.5%75% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.25% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.8% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
3
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.71% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
4
Registration plate lamp not working 1.66% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
5
Position lamp not working 1.34% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
6
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 1.21% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
7
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.2% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
8
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.09% 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 XF's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit14.5%
Brake disc pitted or scored9.15%
Brake pads wearing thin7.26%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear6.15%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.63%
Sub-frame showing corrosion3.48%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Jaguar XF

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
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.
3
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
4
Registration plate lamp not working
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
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 XF covers about 8,900 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

Diesel90.8%
Petrol9.2%
LPG0%
Other0%

Most common colours

Grey, Black, Blue, Red, White

Average engine size: 2.5 litres.

Compare

How the Jaguar XF compares with its rivals

Jaguar XF against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi A6	20.1%	36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 5 Series	20.4%	35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 4 Series	14.1%	34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A5	19.7%	30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz E-Class	21%	27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Jaguar XF	23.1%	23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Jaguar XE	17.4%	12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age

Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all Jaguar models.

Questions

Jaguar XF questions, answered

Is the Jaguar XF reliable?

On MOT results, the Jaguar XF is better than average: it fails 23.1% of first MOT tests, 23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 26 of 40 executive car models in our index.

What fails most on a Jaguar XF MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Jaguar XF are tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.25% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.8% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (1.71% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 7.5% of its tests.

Which Jaguar XF year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2020 cars do worst (about average for its age).

How many miles does a Jaguar XF do a year?

A typical Jaguar XF covers about 8,900 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 XF 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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