Used car guide

2006 Jaguar S-Type petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Jaguar S-Type first registered in 2006 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 2,098 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,098MOTs of 2006 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
67%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 56%)
5,000typical miles a year
3.5×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Jaguar S-Type petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Jaguar S-Type petrol than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Ball joint dust cover3.5× usual
    Jaguar S-Type
    16.3% All 2006 cars
    4.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 1.9% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Track rod ends1.9× usual
    Jaguar S-Type
    10.6% All 2006 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 2.4% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Link ball joint covers2× usual
    Jaguar S-Type
    6.9% All 2006 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.9% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 3.6% here, against 14% of all 2006 cars. Exhaust system: 3.5% here, against 9.3% of all 2006 cars.

Common 2006 Jaguar S-Type petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Jaguar S-Type petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    26% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    25% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    21% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    12% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Jaguar S-Type petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2006 Jaguar S-Type petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2006 Jaguar S-Type petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2006 Jaguar S-Type petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Jaguar S-Type?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Jaguar S-Type compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2008–Too few tests
20075,862Suspension 44%
20054,775Suspension 49%
20045,240Suspension 50%
20034,202Suspension 50%
20023,305Suspension 52%
20012,166Suspension 55%
20002,108Suspension 52%
19991,283Suspension 55%
1968–Too few tests
1967–Too few tests
1966–Too few tests
1965–Too few tests
1964–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Jaguar S-Type cars first registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score