Jaguar S-Type MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 13,538 MOT tests on the Jaguar S-Type carried out in 2023. 37% failed at the first attempt, which is well above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 6 in 10 S-Types passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1999 to 2007. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2006 models did best (65% passed, +9.2 points against the average for 17-year-old cars), while 1999 models fared worst (61%, −1.0 points). Tested cars had covered 93,821 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was suspension, found on 15.8% of tests (noticeably above the 8.9% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt", on 7.8% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 13,538
- First-time pass rate
- 63%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −8.4 points
- Average mileage at test
- 93,821
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular S-Type?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
S-Type MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 2,283 | 64% | 57% | +6.6 points | 92,579 |
| 2006 | 1,982 | 65% | 56% | +9.2 points | 98,230 |
| 2005 | 1,930 | 63% | 56% | +6.6 points | 95,974 |
| 2004 | 2,075 | 63% | 56% | +6.9 points | 94,334 |
| 2003 | 1,646 | 64% | 57% | +7.0 points | 95,087 |
| 2002 | 1,311 | 58% | 58% | +0.8 points | 92,126 |
| 2001 | 849 | 62% | 59% | +3.8 points | 94,481 |
| 2000 | 858 | 63% | 61% | +2.0 points | 87,863 |
| 1999 | 519 | 61% | 62% | −1.0 points | 86,531 |
Why the Jaguar S-Type fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | S-Type | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 15.8% | 8.9% |
| Lights and electrics | 13.3% | 11.3% |
| Brakes | 11.5% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 6.1% | 6.3% |
| Steering | 6.0% | 1.8% |
| Visibility | 5.7% | 4.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.3% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 3.8% | 3.5% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 2.9% | 1.0% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.6% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt7.8%
- 2not working5.6%
- 3ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.5%
- 4inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.4%
- 5pin or bush excessively worn3.0%
- 6prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.9%
- 7does not clear the windscreen effectively2.5%
- 8projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.3%
- 9too low2.3%
- 10less than 1.5 mm thick2.1%
Common S-Type MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used S-Type, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 14.1% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 12.1% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 11.8% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.1% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 9.8% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 8.5% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 8.3% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.0% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 4.6% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 4.1% |
Tips to help your S-Type pass
Based on where S-Types most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 13.3% of S-Type tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 11.5% of S-Type tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the S-Type ULEZ compliant? See the Jaguar S-Type ULEZ check, or view all Jaguar models.
Other Jaguar models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 13,538 first MOT tests of the Jaguar S-Type carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 13,538 first MOT tests of the Jaguar S-Type.
What is the Jaguar S-Type MOT failure rate?
In our data, 37% of 13,538 first MOT attempts on the Jaguar S-Type ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Jaguar S-Type fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were suspension (15.8% of tests), lights and electrics (13.3% of tests), brakes (11.5% of tests).
Which S-Type year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2006 cars performed best: 65% passed first time, +9.2 points against the average for 17-year-old cars. The weakest was 1999, at 61% (−1.0 points).
How many miles had a typical Jaguar S-Type covered at its MOT?
The average was 93,821 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2007 cars averaged 92,579 miles and 1999 cars 86,531.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Jaguar S-Type?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 14.1% of tests, in the tyres area. 6.1% of S-Types failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific S-Type's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 13,538 S-Types in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 58% to 65% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
Check any S-Type's MOT history
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