Jaguar XK common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Jaguar XK, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 23,682 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 1959 Jaguar XK
Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Jaguar XK as a whole.
What to check on a 1959 car
- Rust and structure
Look underneath at the sills, floor, chassis rails and jacking points. Rust in the structure costs far more to fix than paint bubbles.
- MOT-exempt isn’t roadworthy
Cars over 40 don’t need an MOT, but they must still be safe. A voluntary MOT or a specialist inspection is worth the money.
- Paperwork
Old MOT certificates, bills and restoration photos show how it has been looked after. Check the logbook matches the car’s VIN and engine number.
- Originality
Changes from standard affect value and insurance. Ask what has been replaced or modified.
- Insurance
Classic insurance is often cheaper but may limit mileage and use. Get a quote before you buy.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
202620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996196119601959195819571956195519541953195219511950
What usually goes wrong with a Jaguar XK?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Jaguar XK in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.
Common Jaguar XK MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Ball joint dust cover
up to 3.5× usualStands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Link ball joint covers
up to 2.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Wheels
up to 2.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2012 and 2014.
Rough price £70–£150 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Jaguar XK MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2013 Jaguar XK did best (88% passed first time, 21 points above all 2013 cars) and the 2007 did worst (74%, 17 points above all 2007 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Jaguar XK
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the Jaguar XK as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Jaguar XK as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the Jaguar XK as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Jaguar XK?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score