Britain's last great combustion sports car icon
The Jaguar F-Type is a gorgeous British sports car that channels the spirit of the iconic E-Type, offering stunning design and a visceral driving experience. It competes with the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin Vantage, appealing to buyers who want theatre, drama, and drop-dead looks from their sports car. Production ended in 2024, making it the last of Jaguar's combustion-era sports cars.
We track 6 known issues across the Jaguar F-TYPE range, with 2 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Jaguar F-TYPE? Enter the reg to see which of our 6 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
X152 (2012–2024) — Engine options included the 2.0L Turbo I4, 3.0L Supercharged V6, 5.0L Supercharged V8. We track 6 known issues on this generation, with 2 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Fluid leaking excessively from engine bay (£200–£1,500 to address).
The F-Type shows MOT failure rates 4.5 times the fleet average for excessive fluid leaks that pose environmental or safety risks. The supercharged V8 is particularly affected in the 20-40k mile range. Common leak points include the supercharger oil feed lines, valley gasket, and oil cooler connections. The high-performance nature and complex packaging create multiple potential leak sources under heat and pressure cycling.
Excessive fluid leaks create fire risks when oil contacts hot exhaust components, environmental hazards, and can lead to sudden loss of lubrication or brake/steering assistance. Repair costs vary widely depending on leak location but supercharger-related leaks typically require significant disassembly.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
MOT data shows F-Type models fail at 4.3 times the fleet average for corroded brake hose ferrules, with 747 recorded failures across all variants. The crimped metal ends of flexible brake hoses are particularly susceptible to corrosion in the UK climate. This affects all engine variants and appears across all mileage bands, suggesting a design or material vulnerability rather than age-related wear.
Corroded brake hose ferrules can fail suddenly, causing complete loss of braking on the affected circuit. This creates an immediate safety risk and renders the vehicle dangerous to drive. Brake hose failure typically requires immediate recovery and urgent repair.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The electronic limited slip differential in the F-Type can develop a characteristic whine, particularly noticeable under acceleration or deceleration. This affects the 5.0L V8 models more commonly due to higher torque loads. Some differential noise is normal operation, but excessive whine indicates worn clutch plates or degraded fluid. The eLSD system uses clutch packs that wear over time and create audible noise when engagement becomes less smooth.
While not immediately dangerous, progressive differential wear will eventually cause harsh engagement, complete failure of the limited slip function, and potentially expensive differential rebuild or replacement. The car remains driveable but loses some of its performance characteristics.
Listen for whining from the rear on deceleration and a clunk when changing direction — both signs of differential wear. Check for oil leaks around the differential housing. On performance cars, ask about limited-slip differential service history.
The F-Type shows MOT failure rates 3.9 times higher than the fleet average for deteriorated suspension joint dust covers, with 498 recorded failures. This particularly affects the 3.0L V6 models in the 20-40k mile range. The rubber or plastic boots protecting ball joints and track rod ends deteriorate prematurely, allowing dirt and moisture ingress that accelerates joint wear.
Failed dust covers allow contamination of suspension joints, leading to premature wear and eventual joint failure. While not immediately dangerous, deteriorated joints will eventually cause handling problems and MOT failure. Early detection allows preventive maintenance before expensive joint replacement becomes necessary.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
0L V8 models in early service life. NHTSA complaints reference sensor issues, ECU modules, and fuel injector problems causing fault codes. The complex engine management systems in supercharged engines are sensitive to sensor failures and fuel quality issues.
An illuminated engine management light indicates stored fault codes that require diagnostic investigation. While the car may drive normally, underlying issues such as sensor failures or fuel system problems can cause poor performance, increased emissions, and potential engine damage if left unresolved.
Check all electrical functions systematically: windows, mirrors, lights, infotainment, heated seats, air conditioning. Look for any warning lights on the dashboard. A diagnostic scan before purchase can reveal stored fault codes.
For the full breakdown of all 6 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Jaguar F-TYPE common problems page.
Based on 82k real DVSA MOT tests, the Jaguar F-TYPE fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is anti-roll bar links worn at 10x the fleet average, followed by fluid leak (7x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Jaguar F-TYPE MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 16k miles) typically costs £150–£250 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include automatic transmission fluid (£300–£450).
See the full Jaguar F-TYPE service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Jaguar F-TYPE is a reasonable used buy provided you check for the issues outlined above. None of the problems we track are insurmountable, but they do reward buyers who inspect thoroughly and verify the service history before committing. The 2017-2018 models are the most reliable, benefiting from updated coolant pipes and refinements that addressed earlier teething problems. The 2016 facelift brought a manual gearbox option, AWD, and the ferocious SVR. Avoid 2014-2015 cars which had multiple serious recalls. For value, the V6 S at around £30-35k is the sweet spot.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Jaguar F-TYPE, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 6 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 6 known Jaguar F-TYPE issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.