Home/Car check/Jaguar/S Type

Jaguar S Type car check

Find out if a S Type has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.

Typical price
£5,91215 at dealers
MOT failure rate
24.2%199k tests
Known problems
5across X200
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which S Type are you looking at?

Each S Type generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.

  1. Vehicle structure corrosion affecting structural rigidity

    Safety risk X200

    The S-Type suffers from severe structural corrosion that compromises the vehicle's structural integrity. MOT data shows this model fails structural rigidity tests at 1051.2 times the national fleet average, with 671 recorded failures across all variants. The corrosion typically affects the subframe mounting points, sills, and floor pan areas where water becomes trapped. This is a safety-critical defect that can affect crash protection and handling stability.

    What to check: Inspect the rear wheel arches from inside the boot - look for visible rust or corrosion around the rear subframe mounting points. Check the door sills by running your hand along the bottom edge - feel for soft spots, bubbling paint, or holes in the metal. Look underneath the car with a torch, foc...

  2. Suspension component wear and corrosion

    Wear item X200

    The S-Type suffers from premature suspension component wear and corrosion at rates significantly above the national average. MOT data shows excessive wear failures at 2740.0 times fleet average and corrosion damage at 2740.0 times average, with over 22,000 combined failures recorded. The aluminium suspension components corrode rapidly, particularly the front lower wishbones and rear suspension links.

    What to check: Inspect the front lower wishbones for white powdery corrosion (aluminium oxide) particularly around the bushes and ball joint mounting points. Check rear suspension links and arms for similar corrosion or cracking. Look for excessive play in suspension bushes by pushing and pulling on accessible ...

  3. Electronic parking brake failure

    Safety and MOT risk X200

    The 2.7 TDV6 S-Type models fitted with electronic parking brake systems suffer from high failure rates. 334.4 times average. The electronic actuator motors and control modules are prone to failure, leaving the vehicle without a functioning parking brake.

    What to check: Check the dashboard for any parking brake warning lights or error messages when the ignition is turned on. Test the electronic parking brake button - it should engage and disengage with clear audio confirmation and dashboard indication. Check the parking brake holds the vehicle securely on a slop...

  4. Suspension joint dust cover failure

    Wear item X200

    The S-Type has exceptionally high rates of suspension joint dust cover deterioration and loss. MOT data shows failure rates up to 1,2740.0 times the national fleet average, with 65 recorded failures. The rubber boots protecting ball joints and track rod ends perish rapidly, allowing dirt and water ingress that accelerates joint wear. This affects all variants but is most severe on the 2.5-litre petrol models.

    What to check: Inspect all visible suspension joints around the front wheels for split, missing, or severely deteriorated rubber boots. Look specifically at the track rod ends (steering linkage) and lower ball joint boots for cracks or complete failure. Check for grease leakage around joints where boots have fa...

  5. Steering rack gaiter damage

    Wear item X200

    The S-Type suffers from premature steering rack gaiter deterioration at rates significantly above the national fleet average. The rubber gaiters protecting the steering rack ends split and deteriorate, allowing dirt and moisture into the steering mechanism.

    What to check: Inspect the steering rack gaiters (rubber boots) at each end of the steering rack for splits, tears, or complete failure. Look for power steering fluid leakage around the rack ends where gaiters have failed. Check for excessive play by gently rocking the steering wheel with the front wheels on th...

What S Types cost at dealers now

From 15 used S Types we track on UK dealer websites.

Typical asking price
£5,912
Typical mileage
91,845 miles
Price change vs last month
—

S Type MOT results

24.2%

of S Type MOT tests end in a fail, from 198,574 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Suspension ball joints wornSuspension
  2. Suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe...Suspension
  3. Suspension joint dust cover severely deterioratedSuspension

Check the S Type you’re buying

One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.

What the check includes

S Type questions

Is the Jaguar S Type reliable?

24.2% of S Type models fail their MOT based on 198,574 tests analysed. That’s about average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being vehicle structure corrosion affecting structural rigidity. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.

What are the main problems with a Jaguar S Type?

The most serious known issues are vehicle structure corrosion affecting structural rigidity, suspension component wear and corrosion, electronic parking brake failure. Our car check flags whether a specific S Type has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Jaguar S Type has outstanding finance?

Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.

How do I check if a Jaguar S Type has been written off?

Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N S Type has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.

Can I check a Jaguar S Type for free?

You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.

Is a Jaguar S Type HPI check worth it?

HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known S Type faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.

What does a Jaguar S Type fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the S Type is suspension ball joints worn. 24.2% of S Type models fail overall, based on 198,574 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the S Type

Other Jaguar car checks

Jaguar E Pace11.3% MOT failure rate Jaguar E Type7 known problems Jaguar F Pace13.2% MOT failure rate Jaguar F Type8.6% MOT failure rate Jaguar I Pace7.9% MOT failure rate Jaguar X Type25.9% MOT failure rate

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.