Used car guide · 1964–2008

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 2008 Jaguar S-Type

Too few Jaguar S-Type cars first registered in 2008 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. 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.

10on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolfuel type
What to check on a 2008 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

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× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    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 ends

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands 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) 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.

  • Engine warning light

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At 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× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Rust in key structural areas

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004 and 2006.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At 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× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005 and 2006.

    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.

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.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200764%57% +75,862
200665%56% +95,120
200562%57% +54,775
200463%57% +65,240
200363%57% +64,202
200260%58% +23,305
200161%60% +12,166
200061%61% +02,108
199962%63% -11,283

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.

  1. 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.)
  2. 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.)
  3. 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.)
  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, 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