2005 Jaguar S-Type — MOT failures & pass rate
12,122 MOT tests on the 2005 Jaguar S-Type are in this dataset, and 73.4% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 24.1% of the time, so this is 2.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.8%) and suspension (11.7%) 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 track rod end — ball joint dust cover alone was recorded 1,255 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.7% once past 150k.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.7pp more often than petrol ones (28.0% vs 25.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 1,431 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.7% | 1,421 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.4% | 1,261 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.4% | 660 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.3% | 636 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.0% | 607 |
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 | 1,255 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 850 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 770 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 630 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 453 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 451 |
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 | 34.5% | 4,184 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.3% | 3,790 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.8% | 2,889 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.3% | 1,858 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 1,044 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.3% | 884 |
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 | 218 | 18.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,476 | 22.2% |
| 60-90k | 3,775 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 3,854 | 27.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,980 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 814 | 30.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 6,212 | 25.3% |
| Diesel | 5,910 | 28.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,339 | 26.3% |
| 2022 | 2,882 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 2,371 | 25.7% |
| 2024 | 1,932 | 27.4% |
| 2025 | 1,598 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2005 S-Type
On a 2005 S-Type, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.7% 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 (10.4% 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 2005 Jaguar S-Types pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 12,122 2005 Jaguar S-Type MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Jaguar S-Type?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.8% of tests, followed by suspension (11.7%).
Does the 2005 S-Type get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.4% in the 0-30k band to 30.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,122 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.