Used car guide

2001 Jaguar S-Type: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Jaguar S-Types, from 599 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

599MOT tests in 2025

60%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)

3,700typical miles a year

6.7×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Jaguar S-Types than on all cars registered in 2001.

Ball joint dust cover6.7× usual

Jaguar S-Type
25.5% All 2001 cars
3.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 1.3% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Track rod ends3.1× usual

Jaguar S-Type
15.4% All 2001 cars
5%

Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 1.8% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Link ball joint covers4.8× usual

Jaguar S-Type
7.2% All 2001 cars
1.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0.8% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Sub-frame2.2× usual

Jaguar S-Type
10.7% All 2001 cars
4.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.2% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
Ball joint2× usual

Jaguar S-Type
11.7% All 2001 cars
5.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 2.2% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 8.2% here, against 17.2% of all 2001 cars. Number plates: 3.7% here, against 7.5% of all 2001 cars.

By area

The share of 2001 Jaguar S-Type MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

58% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Brakes

45% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Tyres

30% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Lights and electrics

25% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Rust and bodywork

11% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Oil and fluid leaks

10% of testsRough price £80–£600

At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Jaguar S-Type?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2007	1,646	Suspension 47%
2006	1,441	Suspension 49%
2005	1,318	Suspension 53%
2004	1,441	Suspension 50%
2003	1,206	Suspension 53%
2002	891	Suspension 54%
2000	561	Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Jaguar S-Types registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score