2021 Jaguar XF — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,566 MOT tests, the 2021 Jaguar XF recorded a 91.4% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail 9.8% of the time, so this is 1.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.2%) and visibility (3.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 55 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 XF fails 7.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 7.3% at 60-90k, a spread of only 0.1 points.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.7pp more often than petrol ones (9.3% vs 7.6%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.2% | 97 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.3% | 52 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.1% | 17 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 14 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 14 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 55 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 21 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 14 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 12 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 4 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.2% | 317 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.6% | 197 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.2% | 50 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.8% | 43 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 1.1% | 18 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.7% | 11 |
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 | 985 | 7.4% |
| 30-60k | 507 | 10.7% |
| 60-90k | 55 | 7.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 936 | 9.3% |
| Petrol | 630 | 7.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 37 | 8.1% |
| 2024 | 763 | 10.0% |
| 2025 | 754 | 7.0% |
What to check before buying a 2021 XF
On a 2021 XF, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (3.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Brakes (1.1% 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.
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 2021 Jaguar XFs pass their MOT?
91.4% of the 1,566 2021 Jaguar XF MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Jaguar XF?
Tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by visibility (3.3%).
Does the 2021 XF get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.4% in the 0-30k band to 7.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,566 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.