2005 Jaguar XK — MOT failures & pass rate
3,930 MOT tests on the 2005 Jaguar XK are in this dataset, and 82.3% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (22.3% fail rate), the 2005 XK comes out 4.5pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (7.9%) and lighting & signalling (6.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint dust cover, headlamp aim and malfunction indicator lamp — ball joint dust cover alone was recorded 105 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.5% in the 0-30k band and 34.0% in the 150k+ band, a 26.6-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 27.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.9% | 311 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.1% | 240 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.6% | 221 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 120 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.9% | 116 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.4% | 95 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint dust cover | 105 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 98 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 98 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 96 |
| 5 | Anti-lock braking system | 87 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 83 |
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 | 27.4% | 1,078 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.8% | 779 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.7% | 576 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 350 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.8% | 268 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 5.3% | 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 | 241 | 7.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,085 | 13.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,436 | 17.3% |
| 90-120k | 839 | 22.9% |
| 120-150k | 234 | 22.7% |
| 150k+ | 94 | 34.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 801 | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 841 | 19.1% |
| 2023 | 812 | 20.7% |
| 2024 | 750 | 17.1% |
| 2025 | 726 | 15.6% |
What to check before buying a 2005 XK
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 7.9% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (7.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.6% 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 2005 Jaguar XKs pass their MOT?
82.3% of the 3,930 2005 Jaguar XK MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Jaguar XK?
Suspension, recorded in 7.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.1%).
Does the 2005 XK get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.5% in the 0-30k band to 34.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,930 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.