Used car guide

2013 Jaguar XF: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Jaguar XFs, from 10,663 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

10,663MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
8,000typical miles a year
3.4×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Jaguar XFs than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Sub-frame3.4× usual
    Jaguar XF
    12.5% All 2013 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.2% of all 2013 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 cover3.2× usual
    Jaguar XF
    8.4% All 2013 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.1% of all 2013 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.

  • Flexible brake hoses3.1× usual
    Jaguar XF
    3.7% All 2013 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 1.7% here, against 5.8% of all 2013 cars. Track rod ends: 0.9% here, against 4.8% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Jaguar XF MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% 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
    32% 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
    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.

  • Lights and electrics
    16% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    2% 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 XF?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021710Tyres 25%
20201,359Tyres 26%
20193,362Tyres 27%
20185,749Tyres 27%
20176,952Tyres 26%
20168,205Tyres 27%
20159,620Tyres 32%
201411,912Suspension 32%
20129,449Suspension 42%
20117,614Suspension 46%
20108,207Suspension 48%
20095,689Suspension 51%
20084,024Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Jaguar XFs registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score