Used car guide

2003 Jaguar XK8: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Jaguar XK8s, from 552 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

552MOT tests in 2025
75%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
3,700typical miles a year
3.9×the usual rate for rust around sub-frame mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Jaguar XK8s than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Rust around sub-frame mountings3.9× usual
    Jaguar XK8
    5.4% All 2003 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.3% of all 2003 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

Engine oil leaks: 5.1% here, against 16.2% of all 2003 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 7.2% here, against 18.3% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    18% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    18% 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
    9% 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.

  • 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 XK8?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005591Suspension 30%
2004531Suspension 34%
2002568Suspension 33%
2001628Suspension 33%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Jaguar XK8s registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score