Used car guide

2004 Jaguar XK8: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Jaguar XK8 first registered in 2004: we looked at the 1,630 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,630MOTs of 2004 cars, done in 2023–2025
75%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 57%)
4,000typical miles a year
3.8×the usual rate for rust around sub-frame mountings

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Jaguar XK8?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Jaguar XK8 than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Rust around sub-frame mountings3.8× usual
    Jaguar XK8
    4.9% All 2004 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.3% of all 2004 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

Headlights: 1.7% here, against 13.2% of all 2004 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 6.2% here, against 17.3% of all 2004 cars.

Common 2004 Jaguar XK8 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Jaguar XK8 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    34% 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
    19% 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
    19% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Jaguar XK8

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

  1. Any recent work on the rust around sub-frame mountings? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2004 Jaguar XK8 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Jaguar XK8?

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

Other years

Every year of the Jaguar XK8 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2007148Suspension 31%
2006336Suspension 27%
20051,809Suspension 31%
20031,720Suspension 32%
20021,809Suspension 33%
20011,958Suspension 32%
20001,530Suspension 34%
19991,481Suspension 32%
19982,769Suspension 36%
19973,372Suspension 34%
1996881Suspension 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Jaguar XK8 cars first registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score