Jaguar S-Type common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Jaguar S-Type, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 34,061 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 1964 Jaguar S-Type
Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Jaguar S-Type as a whole.
What to check on a 1964 car
- Rust and structure
Look underneath at the sills, floor, chassis rails and jacking points. Rust in the structure costs far more to fix than paint bubbles.
- MOT-exempt isn’t roadworthy
Cars over 40 don’t need an MOT, but they must still be safe. A voluntary MOT or a specialist inspection is worth the money.
- Paperwork
Old MOT certificates, bills and restoration photos show how it has been looked after. Check the logbook matches the car’s VIN and engine number.
- Originality
Changes from standard affect value and insurance. Ask what has been replaced or modified.
- Insurance
Classic insurance is often cheaper but may limit mileage and use. Get a quote before you buy.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
200820072006200520042003200220012000199919681967196619651964
What usually goes wrong with a Jaguar S-Type?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Jaguar S-Type in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.
Common Jaguar S-Type MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Petrol
Ball joint dust cover
up to 3.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Link ball joint covers
up to 2.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Track rod ends
up to 2.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Engine warning light
up to 2.5× usualStands out on cars registered in 2004 and 2005.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Diesel
Ball joint dust cover
up to 3.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Link ball joint covers
up to 2.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Rust in key structural areas
up to 2.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2004 and 2006.
Rough price £80–£250 our estimateAt the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
Sub-frame
up to 2.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2004 and 2005.
Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
Track rod ends
up to 2.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2005 and 2006.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Jaguar S-Type MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2006 Jaguar S-Type did best (65% passed first time, 9 points above all 2006 cars) and the 2005 did worst (62%, 5 points above all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Jaguar S-Type
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 7× as often on the Jaguar S-Type as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 6.6× as often on the Jaguar S-Type as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the Jaguar S-Type as on other cars the same age.)
- 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score