2002 Jaguar X-Type: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Jaguar X-Types, from 1,048 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Jaguar X-Types than on all cars registered in 2002.
- Suspension arm2.9× usualJaguar X-Type10.4% All 2002 cars3.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.3% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
- Sub-frame2.1× usualJaguar X-Type11.2% All 2002 cars5.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.3% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
- Engine warning light3.7× usualJaguar X-Type6.6% All 2002 cars1.8%
Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 1.8% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
- Rust in key structural areas3.1× usualJaguar X-Type5% All 2002 cars1.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £80–£250 our estimateAt the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
- Handbrake performance3.2× usualJaguar X-Type3.2% All 2002 cars1%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £80–£300 our estimateAt the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.
Number plates: 3.2% here, against 7.7% of all 2002 cars. Sidelights: 2.1% here, against 5.9% of all 2002 cars.
By area
The share of 2002 Jaguar X-Type MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes44% 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.
- Suspension44% 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.
- Tyres28% 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.
- Oil and fluid leaks28% 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.
- Lights and electrics25% 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 bodywork17% 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.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 3,452 | Suspension 48% |
| 2008 | 3,570 | Suspension 51% |
| 2007 | 2,604 | Suspension 52% |
| 2006 | 2,453 | Suspension 52% |
| 2005 | 2,027 | Suspension 51% |
| 2004 | 1,991 | Suspension 52% |
| 2003 | 1,638 | Suspension 47% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Jaguar X-Types registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score