2008 Jaguar XF — MOT failures & pass rate
34,118 MOT tests on the 2008 Jaguar XF are in this dataset, and 76.8% of them passed. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (22.5% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.2% of tests against 9.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, ball joint dust cover and pins and bushes — position lamp alone was recorded 2,715 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.8% versus 18.3%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 20.4% fail against 23.7% for diesel, a 3.4-point gap across 34,118 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 21.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 4,494 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.4% | 3,222 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.8% | 2,655 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.8% | 2,327 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 1,516 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.0% | 675 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 2,715 |
| 2 | Ball joint dust cover | 1,863 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 1,422 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,378 |
| 5 | Washers | 1,203 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 1,186 |
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 | 32.6% | 11,133 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.1% | 9,935 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.6% | 8,727 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 3,182 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 2,575 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 2,378 |
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 | 268 | 18.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,581 | 17.5% |
| 60-90k | 7,667 | 21.1% |
| 90-120k | 10,897 | 23.5% |
| 120-150k | 8,125 | 25.0% |
| 150k+ | 4,569 | 25.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 28,299 | 23.7% |
| Petrol | 5,819 | 20.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,237 | 21.7% |
| 2022 | 7,719 | 22.4% |
| 2023 | 7,100 | 23.8% |
| 2024 | 6,115 | 24.8% |
| 2025 | 4,947 | 23.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 XF
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.4% 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 (7.8% 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 2008 Jaguar XFs pass their MOT?
76.8% of the 34,118 2008 Jaguar XF MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Jaguar XF?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by suspension (9.4%).
Does the 2008 XF get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.3% in the 0-30k band to 25.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 34,118 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.