Used car guide

2007 Jaguar S-Type: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Jaguar S-Types, from 1,646 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,646MOT tests in 2025

65%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)

5,100typical miles a year

2.9×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Jaguar S-Types than on all cars registered in 2007.

Ball joint dust cover2.9× usual

Jaguar S-Type
14% All 2007 cars
4.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 1.9% of all 2007 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 ends1.8× usual

Jaguar S-Type
10.6% All 2007 cars
5.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.5% of all 2007 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× usual

Jaguar S-Type
7.2% All 2007 cars
3.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 2% of all 2007 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.
Wheels2× usual

Jaguar S-Type
4.1% All 2007 cars
2.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.6% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Transmission oil leaks2× usual

Jaguar S-Type
3% All 2007 cars
1.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 4.4% here, against 13.5% of all 2007 cars. Headlights: 5.5% here, against 13% of all 2007 cars.

By area

The share of 2007 Jaguar S-Type MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

47% 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

30% 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

27% 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.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

9% of testsRough price £15–£250

At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Rust and bodywork

8% 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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2006	1,441	Suspension 49%
2005	1,318	Suspension 53%
2004	1,441	Suspension 50%
2003	1,206	Suspension 53%
2002	891	Suspension 54%
2001	599	Suspension 58%
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 2007 Jaguar S-Types registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score