Jaguar Xkr MOT Failures
An analysis of 120,404 real DVSA MOT tests on the Jaguar Xkr — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: X100 (1996–2006), X150 (2006–2014).
Where the Jaguar Xkr fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Jaguar Xkr is suspension ball joints worn — this model is 1382 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 120,404 MOT tests, 5.79% of all Jaguar Xkr 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 transmission joint, belt or chain worn (149x the fleet average), indicator or hazard warning switch does not ope... (71x the fleet average), front or rear fog lamp with a multiple light so... (407x the fleet average), and track rod ends worn (94x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Jaguar Xkr'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 4 categories: Suspension, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics, Steering. If you're inspecting a Jaguar Xkr 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 Xkr'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 Xkr specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension ball joints worn (1382x the average) and front or rear fog lamp with a multiple light so... (340x). transmission joint, belt or chain worn (149x) and track rod ends worn (94x) 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 Xkr specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are front or rear fog lamp with a multiple light so... (288x the average) and suspension ball joints worn (93x). transmission joint, belt or chain worn (65x) and indicator or hazard warning switch does not ope... (39x) 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 Xkr specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are subframe bushes or mounts worn (108x the average) and suspension ball joints worn (81x). indicator or hazard warning switch does not ope... (43x) and transmission joint, belt or chain worn (38x) also appear frequently.
The shift from suspension ball joints worn at lower mileages to subframe bushes or mounts worn 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 Xkr specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe mounting area corrosion (X100/X150) Dangerous
The rear subframe mounting points on both X100 and X150 generation XKRs are susceptible to corrosion that compromises structural integrity. Affects X100, X150; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,500–£3,000.
Suspension joint dust cover deterioration (X100/X150) Major
The XKR suffers from premature deterioration of suspension joint dust covers across all variants, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 507 times the national fleet average. Affects X100, X150; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£200.
Transmission belt or chain excessive wear (X100) Major
The automatic transmission on X100 generation XKRs experiences premature wear of internal drive chains and belts, with MOT failure rates 214.6 times higher than the national average on 4.0L variants. Affects X100; typical independent garage repair cost is £2,500–£4,500.
Wheel bearing excessive play (X100/X150) Major
Both generations of XKR experience premature wheel bearing wear, with MOT statistical evidence showing failure rates 31.6 times higher than the national fleet average. Affects X100, X150; typical independent garage repair cost is £180–£320.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Jaguar Xkr common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Jaguar Xkr
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Jaguar Xkr:
Suspension — check for suspension ball joints worn, suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe..., subframe bushes or mounts worn. Bodywork — check for transmission joint, belt or chain worn. Lights & Electrics — check for indicator or hazard warning switch does not ope..., front or rear fog lamp with a multiple light so....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe mounting area corrosion and suspension joint dust cover deterioration. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £1,500. 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 Xkr?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Jaguar Xkr MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Jaguar Xkr?
Based on 120,404 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is suspension ball joints worn — at 1382x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include transmission joint, belt or chain worn and indicator or hazard warning switch does not ope....
Is the Jaguar Xkr reliable based on MOT data?
The Jaguar Xkr has 19 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag subframe mounting area corrosion 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 Xkr most commonly fails on subframe bushes or mounts worn and suspension ball joints worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are suspension ball joints worn and front or rear fog lamp with a multiple light so....
How do I check a Jaguar Xkr'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.