Jaguar S Type MOT Failures
An analysis of 225,455 real DVSA MOT tests on the Jaguar S Type — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: X200 (1999–2008).
Where the Jaguar S Type fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Jaguar S Type is suspension ball joints worn — this model is 1365 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 225,455 MOT tests, 4.27% of all Jaguar S Type tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include track rod ends worn (89x the fleet average), suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe... (227x the fleet average), parking brake inefficient (80x the fleet average), and structural corrosion (45x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Jaguar S Type's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Steering, Brakes, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Jaguar S Type before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Jaguar S Type's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Jaguar S Type specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension ball joints worn (1365x the average) and suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe... (227x). suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (189x) and track rod ends worn (89x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Jaguar S Type specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension ball joints worn (225x the average) and track rod ends worn (81x). parking brake inefficient (51x) and brake hoses perished or damaged (36x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Jaguar S Type specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are brake servo inoperative (144x the average) and suspension ball joints worn (136x). parking brake inefficient (71x) and brake servo defective or ineffective (47x) also appear frequently.
The shift from suspension ball joints worn at lower mileages to brake servo inoperative at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Jaguar S Type specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Vehicle structure corrosion affecting structural rigidity (X200) Dangerous
The S-Type suffers from severe structural corrosion that compromises the vehicle's structural integrity. Affects X200; typical independent garage repair cost is £2,000–£4,000.
Suspension component wear and corrosion (X200) Major
The S-Type suffers from premature suspension component wear and corrosion at rates significantly above the national average. Affects X200; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Electronic parking brake failure (X200 diesel) Major
The 2.7 TDV6 S-Type models fitted with electronic parking brake systems suffer from high failure rates. Affects X200; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.
Suspension joint dust cover failure (X200)
The S-Type has exceptionally high rates of suspension joint dust cover deterioration and loss. Affects X200; typical independent garage repair cost is £50–£120.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Jaguar S Type common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Jaguar S Type
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Jaguar S Type:
Suspension — check for suspension ball joints worn, suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe.... Steering — check for track rod ends worn. Brakes — check for parking brake inefficient, brake hoses perished or damaged, brake pipes corroded.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about vehicle structure corrosion affecting structural rigidity and suspension component wear and corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £2,000. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Jaguar S Type?
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Jaguar S Type MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Jaguar S Type?
Based on 225,455 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is suspension ball joints worn — at 1365x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include track rod ends worn and suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe....
Is the Jaguar S Type reliable based on MOT data?
The Jaguar S Type has 18 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag vehicle structure corrosion affecting structural rigidity as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Jaguar S Type most commonly fails on brake servo inoperative and suspension ball joints worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are suspension ball joints worn and suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe....
How do I check a Jaguar S Type's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.