Used car guide

2012 Jaguar XK: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Jaguar XKs, from 548 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

548MOT tests in 2025
85%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
4,000typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Jaguar XKs than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Ball joint dust cover3.3× usual
    Jaguar XK
    9.7% All 2012 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.2% of all 2012 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.

  • Link ball joint covers2.2× usual
    Jaguar XK
    5.5% All 2012 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 1.4% of all 2012 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.

Better than most

Brake discs: 5.8% here, against 14.2% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Jaguar XK MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    23% 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.

  • Suspension
    23% 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
    12% 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
    9% 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
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    1% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Jaguar XK?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20141,128Tyres 23%
2013824Tyres 22%
2011572Suspension 27%
2010586Suspension 28%
2009589Suspension 33%
2008687Suspension 38%
20071,029Suspension 40%
20061,728Suspension 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Jaguar XKs registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score