2004 Jaguar XK — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,331 MOT tests, the 2004 Jaguar XK recorded an 81.3% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.5% of the time, so this is 3.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 9.6% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, pins and bushes and malfunction indicator lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 119 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 26.8% versus 7.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 18.9% in 2021 to 17.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.6% | 321 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.3% | 211 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.0% | 168 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.7% | 122 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.2% | 108 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.8% | 92 |
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 | 119 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 103 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 91 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 80 |
| 5 | Anti-lock braking system | 78 |
| 6 | Wipers | 69 |
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 | 30.9% | 1,028 |
| 2 | Tyres | 18.0% | 601 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.9% | 563 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 305 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.2% | 239 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 209 |
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 | 147 | 7.5% |
| 30-60k | 681 | 13.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,382 | 18.7% |
| 90-120k | 752 | 23.0% |
| 120-150k | 286 | 23.1% |
| 150k+ | 82 | 26.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 741 | 18.9% |
| 2022 | 689 | 20.6% |
| 2023 | 657 | 17.3% |
| 2024 | 637 | 19.3% |
| 2025 | 607 | 17.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 XK
On a 2004 XK, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (9.6% 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 (6.3% 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 (5.0% 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 2004 Jaguar XKs pass their MOT?
81.3% of the 3,331 2004 Jaguar XK MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Jaguar XK?
Suspension, recorded in 9.6% of tests, followed by brakes (6.3%).
Does the 2004 XK get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.5% in the 0-30k band to 26.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,331 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.