2002 Jaguar X-Type — MOT failures & pass rate
11,388 MOT tests on the 2002 Jaguar X-Type are in this dataset, and 69.4% of them passed. That is 6.2 percentage points worse than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.3%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.6%) and brakes (14.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, prescribed areas and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 1,130 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 39.2% versus 17.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 38.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.5% in 2021 to 28.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.6% | 1,668 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.1% | 1,601 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 1,320 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 978 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 720 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.6% | 635 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,130 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 993 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 742 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 689 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 680 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 643 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 38.0% | 4,324 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.1% | 3,995 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 27.6% | 3,142 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.9% | 2,832 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.7% | 1,213 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.6% | 1,093 |
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 | 322 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,033 | 23.3% |
| 60-90k | 3,801 | 29.8% |
| 90-120k | 3,289 | 34.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,414 | 34.7% |
| 150k+ | 518 | 39.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,608 | 32.5% |
| 2022 | 2,685 | 30.4% |
| 2023 | 2,147 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 1,684 | 28.9% |
| 2025 | 1,264 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 2002 X-Type
On a 2002 X-Type, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (14.6% 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 (14.1% 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 (11.6% 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 2002 Jaguar X-Types pass their MOT?
69.4% of the 11,388 2002 Jaguar X-Type MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Jaguar X-Type?
Suspension, recorded in 14.6% of tests, followed by brakes (14.1%).
Does the 2002 X-Type get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 39.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,388 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.