Most Reliable Jaguar Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 336,140 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Jaguar models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
336,140 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Jaguar model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Jaguar I-PACE
91.6% pass rate
Best Single Year
XK 2010 Petrol
82.7% pass rate
Jaguar vs National Average
78.2% vs 71.5%
+6.7% above average
Proven Durability Champion
XKR 2009
+23.3% at 13+ years
Jaguar has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 336,140 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Jaguar models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Jaguar model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Jaguar Compares to Rivals
Jaguar ranks #23 out of 75 manufacturers with a 78.2% average MOT pass rate. That's above the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus | 83.3% | #18 | 157,583 |
| Bmw | 78.5% | #22 | 1,808,787 |
| Jaguar | 78.2% | #23 | 336,140 |
| Audi | 77.9% | #25 | 1,663,207 |
| Land Rover | 77.0% | #26 | 870,604 |
| Mercedes-Benz | 76.9% | #27 | 1,662,304 |
| Volvo | 73.2% | #35 | 556,785 |
The verdict: Lexus maintains a lead among competitors, while Jaguar sits at #23. However, newer Jaguar models significantly outperform this average.
Best Jaguar Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Jaguar's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-PACE | 91.6% | +20.1% | 12,913 | 2018-2021 |
| F-TYPE | 90.6% | +19.1% | 13,661 | 2013-2020 |
| E-PACE | 88.2% | +16.7% | 27,919 | 2017-2020 |
| F-PACE | 85.2% | +13.7% | 47,393 | 2016-2021 |
| XE | 81.5% | +10.0% | 43,898 | 2015-2020 |
| XK | 81.1% | +9.6% | 8,004 | 2006-2015 |
| XKR | 76.5% | +4.9% | 7,969 | 2000-2012 |
| XJ | 76.4% | +4.9% | 20,369 | 2000-2020 |
| XF | 75.8% | +4.3% | 101,601 | 2008-2020 |
| XK8 | 74.1% | +2.6% | 3,754 | 2000-2006 |
Top performer
The I-PACE dramatically outperforms other Jaguars with an 91.6% pass rate, putting it among the most reliable cars in the database.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Jaguar Models Age Best?
These Jaguar models have proven their durability with 11+ years of real-world MOT data. They're compared against the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 500+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XKR | 2009 | Petrol | +23.3% | 13+ years | 80.6% |
| XK | 2011 | Petrol | +21.4% | 11-12 years | 84.3% |
| XK | 2009 | Petrol | +20.8% | 13+ years | 78.1% |
| XK | 2008 | Petrol | +20.7% | 13+ years | 78.0% |
| XK8 | 2001 | Petrol | +20.2% | 13+ years | 77.5% |
| XKR | 2011 | Petrol | +19.5% | 11-12 years | 82.3% |
| XKR | 2000 | Petrol | +19.0% | 13+ years | 76.3% |
| XK8 | 2004 | Petrol | +18.6% | 13+ years | 75.9% |
| XK8 | 2002 | Petrol | +18.3% | 13+ years | 75.6% |
| XK | 2006 | Petrol | +17.8% | 13+ years | 75.1% |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Proven durability champion
The XKR 2009 outperforms the average 13+ years-old car by 23 percentage points, with 659 MOT tests proving its reliability.
Early Performers: Strong Start, Unproven Durability
These newer Jaguar models (3-6 years old) show strong early results, but haven't yet proven long-term durability:
Important caveat: Durability NOT yet proven - these vehicles have not been tested at older ages. Older versions of the same model may tell a different story at 11+ years.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-TYPE | 2016 | Petrol | +10.1% | 5-6 years | 91.3% |
| F-TYPE | 2017 | Petrol | +9.5% | 5-6 years | 90.7% |
| I-PACE | 2020 | Electric | +7.0% | 3-4 years | 92.8% |
| XE | 2017 | Petrol | +6.5% | 5-6 years | 87.7% |
| F-TYPE | 2019 | Petrol | +5.4% | 3-4 years | 91.2% |
| I-PACE | 2019 | Electric | +4.9% | 3-4 years | 90.8% |
| E-PACE | 2019 | Petrol | +4.9% | 3-4 years | 90.7% |
| XF | 2017 | Diesel | +4.8% | 5-6 years | 86.0% |
What this means: These models are performing well in their early years, but we recommend checking the Durability Champions section above to see how older versions of the same model family have fared over time.
Jaguar XF: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The XF has 101,601 tests in our database with an overall 75.8% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Petrol | 86.8% | -0.9% | 393 |
| 2020 | Diesel | 84.3% | -3.4% | 880 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 86.9% | +0.7% | 1,586 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 85.1% | -1.1% | 1,835 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 88.8% | +4.6% | 1,887 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 85.9% | +1.7% | 3,962 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 86.9% | +5.2% | 641 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 86.0% | +4.3% | 6,477 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 86.8% | +8.2% | 357 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 84.1% | +5.4% | 8,283 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 85.8% | +10.3% | 176 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 77.3% | +1.8% | 9,828 |
XF verdict:
Jaguar F-PACE: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The F-PACE has 47,393 tests in our database with an overall 85.2% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Diesel | 95.5% | +4.6% | 110 |
| 2020 | Petrol | 88.6% | +0.9% | 1,356 |
| 2020 | Diesel | 86.6% | -1.1% | 5,377 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 86.6% | +0.4% | 2,028 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 84.9% | -1.3% | 7,945 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 88.1% | +3.8% | 1,652 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 85.7% | +1.5% | 8,913 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 84.8% | +3.1% | 1,428 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 83.8% | +2.1% | 10,951 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 90.0% | +11.3% | 459 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 83.9% | +5.2% | 7,174 |
F-PACE verdict: The 2021 diesel model achieves an excellent 95.5% pass rate.
Jaguar XE: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The XE has 43,898 tests in our database with an overall 81.5% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Petrol | 89.3% | +1.7% | 844 |
| 2020 | Diesel | 81.4% | -6.3% | 811 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 83.4% | -2.8% | 2,573 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 81.0% | -5.2% | 2,159 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 85.5% | +1.2% | 2,635 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 80.8% | -3.4% | 3,082 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 87.7% | +6.0% | 2,219 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 81.8% | +0.2% | 8,446 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 84.0% | +5.4% | 2,142 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 79.4% | +0.7% | 10,275 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 82.9% | +7.5% | 2,251 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 78.1% | +2.6% | 6,461 |
XE verdict:
Jaguar E-PACE: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The E-PACE has 27,919 tests in our database with an overall 88.2% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Petrol | 91.6% | +3.9% | 1,669 |
| 2020 | Diesel | 90.7% | +3.1% | 4,569 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 90.7% | +4.5% | 2,208 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 87.9% | +1.7% | 9,072 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 89.2% | +5.0% | 2,210 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 85.5% | +1.3% | 8,037 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 83.8% | +2.1% | 154 |
E-PACE verdict: The 2020 petrol model achieves an excellent 91.6% pass rate.
Jaguar Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Jaguar's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 91.6% | +20.1% | 12,913 |
| Petrol | 78.5% | +7.0% | 95,970 |
| Diesel | 77.2% | +5.7% | 222,670 |
Jaguar Models to Avoid
Not all Jaguars are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-TYPE | 2004 | Diesel | 49.6% (-10.3% vs same-age) | 1,394 |
| XE | 2020 | Diesel | 81.4% | 811 |
| XE | 2019 | Diesel | 81.0% (-5.5% vs same-age) | 2,159 |
| X-TYPE | 2005 | Diesel | 51.3% (-8.6% vs same-age) | 2,085 |
| XE | 2018 | Diesel | 80.8% (-4.2% vs same-age) | 3,082 |
| XF | 2020 | Diesel | 84.3% | 880 |
| XE | 2019 | Petrol | 83.4% (-3.0% vs same-age) | 2,573 |
| X-TYPE | 2007 | Diesel | 54.4% (-5.5% vs same-age) | 3,344 |
| X-TYPE | 2006 | Diesel | 53.6% (-6.2% vs same-age) | 2,995 |
| F-PACE | 2019 | Diesel | 84.9% | 7,945 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2004-2007 diesel X-TYPEs, 2018-2020 petrol/diesel XEs are the models that drag down Jaguar's average. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
What Goes Wrong on Jaguars?
When Jaguars fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 21,256 |
| 2. Tyres | 20,739 |
| 3. Suspension | 18,952 |
| 4. Brakes | 16,833 |
| 5. Visibility | 12,379 |
| 6. Noise, emissions and leaks | 7,636 |
| 7. Body, chassis, structure | 4,547 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Jaguar owners:
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- Limited data for recent models
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- XKR 2000-2011: +19% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- XK 2006-2011: +20% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- XK8 2001-2005: +18% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
Jaguar Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- X-TYPE 2002-2007: -4% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 13+ years)
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 336,140 tests on Jaguar vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
Check Any Vehicle's MOT History
Get the full MOT history, mileage records, and reliability insights for any UK vehicle. Make an informed decision before you buy.
Run a Free Check