2006 Jaguar XK — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Jaguar XK passed 81.7% of its 11,213 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.6 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 22.0%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (8.0%) and lighting & signalling (6.7%) 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, track rod end and linkage ball joint dust cover — ball joint dust cover alone was recorded 1,252 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.0% in the 0-30k band and 25.6% in the 150k+ band, a 12.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 27.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 8.0% | 902 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.7% | 748 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.7% | 529 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.0% | 448 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.5% | 389 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.4% | 382 |
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 | 1,252 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 568 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 418 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 403 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 247 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 240 |
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 | 27.0% | 3,023 |
| 2 | Tyres | 21.5% | 2,407 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.4% | 2,069 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 731 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.9% | 545 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 4.5% | 509 |
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 | 629 | 13.0% |
| 30-60k | 2,571 | 15.8% |
| 60-90k | 3,963 | 17.9% |
| 90-120k | 2,538 | 21.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,103 | 20.0% |
| 150k+ | 403 | 25.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,291 | 17.8% |
| 2022 | 2,273 | 17.8% |
| 2023 | 2,233 | 17.6% |
| 2024 | 2,240 | 19.1% |
| 2025 | 2,176 | 19.3% |
What to check before buying a 2006 XK
On a 2006 XK, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (8.0% 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 (6.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (4.7% 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 2006 Jaguar XKs pass their MOT?
81.7% of the 11,213 2006 Jaguar XK MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Jaguar XK?
Suspension, recorded in 8.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.7%).
Does the 2006 XK get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.0% in the 0-30k band to 25.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,213 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.