Used car guide

2009 Jaguar XF: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Jaguar XFs, from 5,689 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,689MOT tests in 2025

63%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)

7,000typical miles a year

2.8×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Jaguar XFs than on all cars registered in 2009.

Sub-frame2.8× usual

Jaguar XF
21.5% All 2009 cars
7.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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 joint dust cover2.9× usual

Jaguar XF
12.6% All 2009 cars
4.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 1.8% of all 2009 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.
Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual

Jaguar XF
18.7% All 2009 cars
11.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Link ball joint covers1.9× usual

Jaguar XF
5.9% All 2009 cars
3.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.8% of all 2009 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.
Rust around sub-frame mountings3.2× usual

Jaguar XF
3.5% All 2009 cars
1.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.2% of all 2009 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.

Better than most

Exhaust system: 3.2% here, against 8.4% of all 2009 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 2.5% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Jaguar XF MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

51% 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.
Tyres

35% 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.
Brakes

29% 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.
Lights and electrics

26% 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

8% of testsRough price £15–£250

At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Oil and fluid leaks

7% 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 XF?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2021	710	Tyres 25%
2020	1,359	Tyres 26%
2019	3,362	Tyres 27%
2018	5,749	Tyres 27%
2017	6,952	Tyres 26%
2016	8,205	Tyres 27%
2015	9,620	Tyres 32%
2014	11,912	Suspension 32%
2013	10,663	Suspension 37%
2012	9,449	Suspension 42%
2011	7,614	Suspension 46%
2010	8,207	Suspension 48%
2008	4,024	Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Jaguar XFs registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score