2003 Jaguar S/Type — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,482 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Jaguar S/Type, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 73.6% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (74.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.3% in the 150k+ group versus 18.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.9% | 1,455 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 1,160 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.6% | 1,003 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.9% | 720 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.7% | 489 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.4% | 460 |
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 | 1,143 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 627 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 562 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 535 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 490 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 485 |
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 | 39.0% | 4,089 |
| 2 | Brakes | 35.6% | 3,729 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.2% | 2,540 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.7% | 1,957 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 1,165 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.2% | 854 |
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 | 199 | 18.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,367 | 21.0% |
| 60-90k | 3,234 | 24.5% |
| 90-120k | 3,366 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,530 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 766 | 35.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,936 | 26.9% |
| 2022 | 2,392 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 2,049 | 25.8% |
| 2024 | 1,676 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 1,429 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 S/Type
Before buying a 2003 Jaguar S/Type, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 13.9% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (13.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (11.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.6% 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.
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 2003 Jaguar S/Types pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 10,482 2003 Jaguar S/Type MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Jaguar S/Type?
Suspension, recorded in 13.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.1%).
Does the 2003 S/Type get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.1% in the 0-30k band to 35.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,482 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.