2000 Jaguar S-Type — MOT failures & pass rate
5,419 MOT tests on the 2000 Jaguar S-Type are in this dataset, and 71.9% of them passed. That is 4.4 percentage points worse than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 23.7%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 16.8% of tests against 12.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint dust cover, track rod end and rigid brake pipes — ball joint dust cover alone was recorded 944 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.7% in the 0-30k band and 33.1% in the 150k+ band, a 13.4-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 38.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.8% | 910 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.1% | 658 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 536 |
| 4 | Steering | 6.8% | 366 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 269 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.3% | 235 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint dust cover | 944 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 462 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 362 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 317 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 304 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 225 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 38.6% | 2,093 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.6% | 1,981 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.5% | 1,218 |
| 4 | Steering | 12.1% | 657 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 492 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.9% | 482 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 193 | 19.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,019 | 23.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,625 | 26.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,512 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 754 | 32.9% |
| 150k+ | 263 | 33.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,561 | 28.1% |
| 2022 | 1,287 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 1,044 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 842 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 685 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2000 S-Type
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 16.8% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (16.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (12.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (9.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2000 Jaguar S-Types pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 5,419 2000 Jaguar S-Type MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Jaguar S-Type?
Suspension, recorded in 16.8% of tests, followed by brakes (12.1%).
Does the 2000 S-Type get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.7% in the 0-30k band to 33.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,419 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.