Sports car and convertible · 1996–2015 cars
Jaguar XKR reliability
The Jaguar XKR fails 22.6% of first MOT tests, 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 32,106 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Jaguar XKR before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 22.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 37% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 32,106
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 4,400
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Jaguar XKR ages
Each point is the share of Jaguar XKRs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Jaguar XKR | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 15% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 16% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 15.1% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 18.2% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 22% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 24.7% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 22.6% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 23.8% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 22% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 28.9% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 28% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 25.7% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 28.9% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 22.7% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 23.8% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 25.8% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Jaguar XKR years
2012 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 XKR | 1,343 | 13.2% | 52% fewer fails | 47,389 |
| 2011 XKR | 2,555 | 14.4% | 51% fewer fails | 50,771 |
| 2010 XKR | 3,189 | 19.1% | 41% fewer fails | 57,377 |
| 2009 XKR | 2,409 | 19.1% | 44% fewer fails | 60,407 |
| 2008 XKR | 2,669 | 22.7% | 38% fewer fails | 64,656 |
| 2007 XKR | 4,788 | 24.4% | 36% fewer fails | 70,298 |
| 2006 XKR | 1,395 | 25.9% | 32% fewer fails | 69,884 |
| 2005 XKR | 1,272 | 21.9% | 43% fewer fails | 69,815 |
| 2004 XKR | 1,445 | 28.4% | 29% fewer fails | 77,602 |
| 2003 XKR | 1,589 | 23.9% | 39% fewer fails | 75,551 |
| 2002 XKR | 1,791 | 30.3% | 24% fewer fails | 80,234 |
| 2001 XKR | 2,208 | 25.9% | 34% fewer fails | 82,048 |
| 2000 XKR | 1,980 | 24.4% | 35% fewer fails | 82,217 |
| 1999 XKR | 2,127 | 24.7% | 31% fewer fails | 81,666 |
| 1998 XKR | 1,201 | 26% | 27% fewer fails | 88,322 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Jaguar XKR
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension8%37% below avg
- Lights and electrics6.6%58% below avg
- Brakes5.3%44% below avg
- Tyres4.2%25% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.6%28% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.4%45% below avg
- Steering2%22% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.9%69% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.5%19% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed 1.42% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.
- 2
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 1.35% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 3
Lambda reading outside specified limits 1.34% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.31% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
ABS warning lamp shows a fault 1.24% of tests
A lit ABS warning means the anti-lock system may not work, so wheels could lock during emergency braking.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too low 1.08% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 7
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 1.01% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 8
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Jaguar XKR's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit9.24%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.24%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear4.19%
- Brake disc pitted or scored4.16%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy3.59%
- Brake pads wearing thin3.2%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Jaguar XKR
- 1
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.
- 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
Lambda reading outside specified limits
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 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 XKR covers about 4,400 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
- Petrol99.9%
- LPG0.1%
- Diesel0%
Most common colours
Black, Blue, Grey, Silver, Red
Average engine size: 4.4 litres.
Compare
How the Jaguar XKR compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Jaguar XK | 17.8% | 44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jaguar XKR | 22.6% | 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Paceman | 15.5% | 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz SLC | 11.8% | 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG TF | 30.8% | 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Celica | 39.4% | 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo C70 | 38.9% | 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all Jaguar models.
Questions
Jaguar XKR questions, answered
Is the Jaguar XKR reliable?
On MOT results, the Jaguar XKR is better than average: it fails 22.6% of first MOT tests, 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 32 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a Jaguar XKR MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Jaguar XKR are ball joint dust cover no longer sealed (1.42% of tests), engine warning light inoperative or lit (1.35% of tests), lambda reading outside specified limits (1.34% of tests). By area, suspension fails 8% of its tests.
Which Jaguar XKR year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (52% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2002 cars do worst (24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Jaguar XKR do a year?
A typical Jaguar XKR covers about 4,400 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 XKR 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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