Used car guide

2006 Jaguar S-Type: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Jaguar S-Types, from 1,441 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,441MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
5,100typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Jaguar S-Types than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Ball joint dust cover3.3× usual
    Jaguar S-Type
    16.4% All 2006 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 2% of all 2006 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 ends2.2× usual
    Jaguar S-Type
    12.4% All 2006 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.4% of all 2006 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 covers2.2× usual
    Jaguar S-Type
    7.9% All 2006 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 2% of all 2006 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.

  • Coolant leak4.4× usual
    Jaguar S-Type
    2.2% All 2006 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£500 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the coolant level is between the marks and look for dried crust around hoses and the radiator.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 4.4% here, against 14.1% of all 2006 cars. Exhaust system: 3.2% here, against 9.4% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Jaguar S-Type MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    49% 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
    28% 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
    28% 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
    23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    11% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    9% 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.

Looking at a Jaguar S-Type?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20071,646Suspension 47%
20051,318Suspension 53%
20041,441Suspension 50%
20031,206Suspension 53%
2002891Suspension 54%
2001599Suspension 58%
2000561Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Jaguar S-Types registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score