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 1997 Jaguar XK
Too few Jaguar XK cars first registered in 1997 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. 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 1997 car
- MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
- Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
- Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
- Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.
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