2003 Jaguar S-Type — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,484 MOT tests, the 2003 Jaguar S-Type recorded a 73.6% pass rate. Against executive cars of a similar age (24.4% fail rate), the 2003 S-Type comes out 2.0pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (13.9%) and lighting & signalling (11.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint dust cover, headlamp aim and malfunction indicator lamp — ball joint dust cover alone was recorded 1,143 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 35.3% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 39.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.9% | 1,455 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 1,161 |
| 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% | 4,091 |
| 2 | Brakes | 35.6% | 3,729 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.2% | 2,540 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.7% | 1,958 |
| 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 | 3,235 | 24.4% |
| 90-120k | 3,367 | 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 | 2,393 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 2,050 | 25.8% |
| 2024 | 1,676 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 1,429 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 S-Type
On a 2003 S-Type, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 10,484 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 10,484 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.