Jaguar S-Type years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

6,963 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2003–2007 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

All 5 Jaguar S-Type years have MOT pass rates above the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

Below the average for their first-use yearNone
Above the average for their first-use year2003–2007
Can't be told apart from averageNone

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

64.2%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 63.0% to 65.3%.

Jaguar S-Type, all years64.2%
Same-age average, all vehicles57.7%

In 2025, 64.2% of the 6,963 initial MOT tests on Jaguar S-Type cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 57.7%. That is 6.5 points above the same-age average.

Check a specific S-Type

Its own MOT history, free.

Jaguar S-Type MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

Year	Testsmedian miles	Passed first time	Against all vehicles that year
2007age 18	1,63192,100	65.3%±2.4	+7.9 ptsall: 57.4%
2006age 19	1,42296,800	66.0%±2.6	+9.0 ptsall: 57.0%
2005age 20	1,30391,800	61.8%±2.7	+4.2 ptsall: 57.6%
2004age 21	1,41289,800	64.2%±2.6	+6.4 ptsall: 57.8%
2003age 22	1,19591,800	63.1%±2.8	+4.4 ptsall: 58.7%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Jaguar S-Type first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

66.2% of Jaguar S-Type tests at 60,000 to 89,999 miles passed first time, against 58.0% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 59.5% and 54.2%.

Miles at the test	Tests	Passed first time	Against all vehicles, same age and mileage
60,000–89,999	2,203	66.2%±2.1	+6.7 ptsall: 59.5%
90,000–119,999	2,216	61.6%±2.1	+6.5 ptsall: 55.0%
120,000 or more	1,461	58.0%±2.6	+3.8 ptsall: 54.2%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, S-Type tests were above average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Jaguar S-Type tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: under 30,000 and 30,000–59,999. 8 tests (0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common S-Type problems at the MOT

Share of the 2,495 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

Suspension42.5%
Lights and electrics37.6%
Brakes28.4%
Steering19.4%
Windscreen, wipers, mirrors15.2%
Tyres15.1%

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

Most common MOT failures on the Jaguar S-Type

The defects recorded most often at the 2,495 failed initial tests on Jaguar S-Type cars, all years together, in the DVSA's own words. Each share is of failed tests, and a failed test can have more than one defect.

Defect	Share of failed tests	All vehicles, same age
Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirtSteering	11.9%297 tests	1.3%
Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirtSuspension	10.9%273 tests	2.6%
Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunctionNoise, emissions, leaks	10.5%261 tests	6.6%
Suspension arm pin or bush excessively wornSuspension	8.4%210 tests	4.9%
Headlamp aim too lowLights and electrics	8.1%201 tests	3.9%
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirtSuspension	7.9%198 tests	4.1%
Position lamp not workingLights and electrics	7.7%193 tests	12.9%
Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrectLights and electrics	6.5%161 tests	9.4%
Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strengthSuspension	6.4%159 tests	6.0%
Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors	6.3%157 tests	7.0%

These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the S-Type's failed tests in each year. How we count

What to check when viewing a S-Type

Based on the areas where Jaguar S-Type MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

Suspension
In 42.5% of failed S-Type tests
- Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
- On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
- The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.
Lights and electrics
In 37.6% of failed S-Type tests
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.
Brakes
In 28.4% of failed S-Type tests
- On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
- Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.
Steering
In 19.4% of failed S-Type tests
- With the engine running, turn the wheel from lock to lock. It should move smoothly and quietly.
- On a straight, level road, the car should run straight with the steering wheel centred.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a S-Type's MOT history

Jaguar S-Type questions

Which Jaguar S-Type years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2003–2007. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Jaguar S-Type reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 64.2% of initial MOT tests on Jaguar S-Type cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 57.7%. That is 6.5 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Jaguar S-Type problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are suspension (in 42.5% of failed tests), lights and electrics (in 37.6% of failed tests) and brakes (in 28.4% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 20-year-old Jaguar S-Type?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Jaguar S-Type cars first used in 2005, about 20 years old, had a median of 91,800 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific S-Type's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Jaguar S-Type

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checks What MOT history doesn't show

Other Jaguar models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 9 Jaguar models Cars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Jaguar S-Type cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count