2008 Jaguar XF: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Jaguar XF?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Jaguar XF than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Sub-frame2.1× usual
  Jaguar XF

  12.6% All 2008 cars

  6.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.4% of all 2008 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 cover2.4× usual
  Jaguar XF

  10.4% All 2008 cars

  4.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.8% of all 2008 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.

• Brake pads1.6× usual
  Jaguar XF

  14.5% All 2008 cars

  8.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 2.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Transmission oil leaks2.8× usual
  Jaguar XF

  3.3% All 2008 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Rust around sub-frame mountings2.6× usual
  Jaguar XF

  2.9% All 2008 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2008 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.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2008 Jaguar XF MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Jaguar XF MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  43% 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
  35% 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
  32% 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
  26% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  9% 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.

• 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.

Known faults on the 2008 Jaguar XF

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Many recalls (19)

  All engines

  The XF has had 19 recalls, covering rear seatbelts, instrument clusters, fuel starvation, fuel and power steering leaks, short circuits, chafing brake pipes, airbags, suspension and engine fuelling.

  At the viewing: Ask a Jaguar dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: Auto Express: used Jaguar XF (Mk1) review

• Particulate filter sensor and limp mode (3.0 diesel)

  3.0 diesel

  The 3.0 diesel’s particulate filter sensor can fail and put the car into limp mode. Only the sensor needs replacing.

  At the viewing: Drive it properly and watch for warning lights or a sudden loss of power.

  Source: Auto Express: used Jaguar XF (Mk1) review

• Fast-wearing rear brakes

  All engines

  The rear pads wear quickly, and if they’re left too long the discs get damaged too.

  At the viewing: Look at the rear discs for a lip or scoring, and ask when the pads were last done.

  Source: Auto Express: used Jaguar XF (Mk1) review

• Cambelt due (diesel)

  Diesel

  The diesel’s cambelt is due every 7 years or 112,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Ask for an invoice showing it was changed on time.

  Source: Auto Express: used Jaguar XF (Mk1) review

• Tyre pressure sensors failing

  All engines

  The tyre pressure sensors in the valves can corrode and stop working.

  At the viewing: Make sure no tyre pressure warning shows.

  Source: Auto Express: used Jaguar XF (Mk1) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Jaguar XF

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Have all the recalls been done? Can a Jaguar dealer confirm from the VIN?
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2008 Jaguar XF as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2008 Jaguar XF as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2008 Jaguar XF as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?