1999 Jaguar XK — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1999 Jaguar XK passed 78.6% of its 3,059 recorded MOT tests. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail at 22.0%, so the 1999 XK sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in emissions & environmental, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — emissions & environmental (9.5%) and lighting & signalling (7.9%) 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 anti-lock braking system — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 487 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.6% versus 15.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 32.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 9.5% | 290 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.9% | 242 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.6% | 232 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.3% | 222 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.4% | 104 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.3% | 102 |
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 | 487 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 161 |
| 3 | Anti-lock braking system | 86 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 85 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 72 |
| 6 | Wipers | 67 |
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 | 32.3% | 988 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.7% | 634 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.8% | 576 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.4% | 349 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.6% | 264 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 239 |
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 | 122 | 15.6% |
| 30-60k | 568 | 16.4% |
| 60-90k | 921 | 20.7% |
| 90-120k | 981 | 23.0% |
| 120-150k | 350 | 26.9% |
| 150k+ | 117 | 25.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 685 | 23.1% |
| 2022 | 643 | 20.4% |
| 2023 | 612 | 20.1% |
| 2024 | 568 | 19.9% |
| 2025 | 551 | 23.2% |
What to check before buying a 1999 XK
On a 1999 XK, emissions & environmental is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Emissions & environmental (9.5% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (7.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.6% 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 1999 Jaguar XKs pass their MOT?
78.6% of the 3,059 1999 Jaguar XK MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Jaguar XK?
Emissions & environmental, recorded in 9.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (7.9%).
Does the 1999 XK get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.6% in the 0-30k band to 25.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,059 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.