Used car guide

1999 Jaguar XK8: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1999 Jaguar XK8s, from 473 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 473 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

473MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 65%)
3,300typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1999 Jaguar XK8s than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.5× usual
    Jaguar XK8
    11.4% All 1999 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.4%, against 4.4% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 5.7% here, against 15.7% of all 1999 cars. Brake discs: 5.1% here, against 10.5% of all 1999 cars.

By area

The share of 1999 Jaguar XK8 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    31% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    21% 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
    20% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    12% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    11% 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 XK8?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006114Suspension 32%
2005591Suspension 30%
2004531Suspension 34%
2003552Suspension 31%
2002568Suspension 33%
2001628Suspension 33%
2000481Suspension 33%
1998874Suspension 39%
19971,041Suspension 34%
1996271Suspension 35%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1999 Jaguar XK8s registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score