1998 Jaguar XK — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,833 MOT tests, the 1998 Jaguar XK recorded a 78.6% pass rate. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (21.6% 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
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.6%) and suspension (9.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 317 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 16.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 28.7% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 560 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.3% | 544 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.6% | 504 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 241 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.9% | 225 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.6% | 210 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 317 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 302 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 192 |
| 4 | Anti-lock braking system | 179 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 154 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 150 |
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 | 35.7% | 2,085 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.5% | 1,310 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.3% | 1,127 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.0% | 643 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.5% | 495 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.3% | 484 |
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 | 219 | 16.0% |
| 30-60k | 858 | 15.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,836 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,707 | 22.6% |
| 120-150k | 862 | 25.9% |
| 150k+ | 334 | 28.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,344 | 22.8% |
| 2022 | 1,281 | 21.6% |
| 2023 | 1,129 | 20.2% |
| 2024 | 1,078 | 20.3% |
| 2025 | 1,001 | 21.8% |
What to check before buying a 1998 XK
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.3% 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 (8.6% 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 1998 Jaguar XKs pass their MOT?
78.6% of the 5,833 1998 Jaguar XK MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Jaguar XK?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.6% of tests, followed by suspension (9.3%).
Does the 1998 XK get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.0% in the 0-30k band to 28.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,833 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.