2003 Jaguar X/Type — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 17,097 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Jaguar X/Type, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 70.8% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 37.2% in the 150k+ group versus 13.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.9% | 2,540 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.9% | 2,038 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 11.4% | 1,955 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.8% | 1,679 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 1,031 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.8% | 993 |
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 | 1,391 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 1,147 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,028 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 957 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 927 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 810 |
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 | 38.4% | 6,561 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.0% | 6,148 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 27.1% | 4,631 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.3% | 4,326 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.3% | 1,934 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.0% | 1,705 |
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 | 399 | 13.8% |
| 30-60k | 2,857 | 20.8% |
| 60-90k | 5,632 | 28.3% |
| 90-120k | 4,930 | 32.4% |
| 120-150k | 2,205 | 34.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,051 | 37.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 15,508 | 28.8% |
| Diesel | 1,589 | 33.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,226 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 4,053 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 3,229 | 28.5% |
| 2024 | 2,578 | 28.5% |
| 2025 | 2,011 | 28.8% |
What to check before buying a 2003 X/Type
Before buying a 2003 Jaguar X/Type, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 14.9% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (14.9% 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.
- Brakes (11.9% 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 (11.4% 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 2003 Jaguar X/Types pass their MOT?
70.8% of the 17,097 2003 Jaguar X/Type MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Jaguar X/Type?
Suspension, recorded in 14.9% of tests, followed by brakes (11.9%).
Does the 2003 X/Type get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.8% in the 0-30k band to 37.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,097 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.