2009 Jaguar XF diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Jaguar XF diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Jaguar XF diesel than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Sub-frame2.7× usual
  Jaguar XF

  15.9% All 2009 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
  Jaguar XF

  18.3% All 2009 cars

  10.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Ball joint dust cover2.4× usual
  Jaguar XF

  9.8% All 2009 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.7% of all 2009 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.

• Rust around sub-frame mountings3.5× usual
  Jaguar XF

  2.8% All 2009 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.1% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Link ball joint covers1.6× usual
  Jaguar XF

  4.7% All 2009 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.6% of all 2009 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.

Common 2009 Jaguar XF diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Jaguar XF diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  46% 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.

• Tyres
  35% 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.

• Brakes
  29% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  25% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  5% 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.

Known faults on the 2009 Jaguar XF diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Many recalls (19)

  All engines

  The XF has had 19 recalls, covering rear seatbelts, instrument clusters, fuel starvation, fuel and power steering leaks, short circuits, chafing brake pipes, airbags, suspension and engine fuelling.

  At the viewing: Ask a Jaguar dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: Auto Express: used Jaguar XF (Mk1) review

• Particulate filter sensor and limp mode (3.0 diesel)

  3.0 diesel

  The 3.0 diesel’s particulate filter sensor can fail and put the car into limp mode. Only the sensor needs replacing.

  At the viewing: Drive it properly and watch for warning lights or a sudden loss of power.

  Source: Auto Express: used Jaguar XF (Mk1) review

• Fast-wearing rear brakes

  All engines

  The rear pads wear quickly, and if they’re left too long the discs get damaged too.

  At the viewing: Look at the rear discs for a lip or scoring, and ask when the pads were last done.

  Source: Auto Express: used Jaguar XF (Mk1) review

• Cambelt due (diesel)

  Diesel

  The diesel’s cambelt is due every 7 years or 112,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Ask for an invoice showing it was changed on time.

  Source: Auto Express: used Jaguar XF (Mk1) review

• Tyre pressure sensors failing

  All engines

  The tyre pressure sensors in the valves can corrode and stop working.

  At the viewing: Make sure no tyre pressure warning shows.

  Source: Auto Express: used Jaguar XF (Mk1) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Jaguar XF diesel

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

1. Have all the recalls been done? Can a Jaguar dealer confirm from the VIN?
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2009 Jaguar XF diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2009 Jaguar XF diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2009 Jaguar XF diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?