Used car guide

2012 Jaguar XKR: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Jaguar XKRs, from 329 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 329 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

329MOT tests in 2025
83%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
3,900typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What stands out

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

  • Ball joint dust cover3.2× usual
    Jaguar XKR
    9.4% All 2012 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, 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.

Better than most

Tread depth: 10.3% here, against 22.3% of all 2012 cars.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    22% 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
    21% 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
    13% 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
    10% 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
    5% 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
    1% 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 XKR?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011635Suspension 25%
2010827Suspension 30%
2009627Suspension 33%
2008740Suspension 38%
20071,232Suspension 37%
2006362Suspension 35%
2005341Suspension 31%
2004401Suspension 32%
2003444Suspension 32%
2002517Suspension 33%
2001590Suspension 31%
2000515Suspension 27%
1999453Suspension 30%
1998248Suspension 31%

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