2005 Jaguar S/Type — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 12,116 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Jaguar S/Type, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 73.4% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.7% in the 150k+ group versus 18.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 1,430 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.7% | 1,420 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.4% | 1,261 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.4% | 659 |
| 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 | 1,254 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 850 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 770 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 630 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 451 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 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% | 4,183 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.3% | 3,786 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.8% | 2,889 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.3% | 1,856 |
| 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 | 1,974 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 814 | 30.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 6,206 | 25.3% |
| Diesel | 5,910 | 28.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,337 | 26.3% |
| 2022 | 2,881 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 2,370 | 25.7% |
| 2024 | 1,931 | 27.5% |
| 2025 | 1,597 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2005 S/Type
Before buying a 2005 Jaguar S/Type, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 11.8% of tests for this year.
- 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 12,116 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 12,116 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.