2009 Jaguar XK — MOT failures & pass rate
3,541 MOT tests on the 2009 Jaguar XK are in this dataset, and 84.0% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 20.3% of the time, so this is 4.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (6.6%) and lighting & signalling (4.9%) 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, linkage ball joint dust cover and headlamp aim — ball joint dust cover alone was recorded 230 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.7% once past 120-150k — 2.0× the risk.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 20.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 14.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.6% | 235 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 4.9% | 173 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.0% | 141 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.1% | 111 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.6% | 94 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.4% | 86 |
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 | 230 |
| 2 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 129 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 82 |
| 4 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 82 |
| 5 | Washers | 68 |
| 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 | 20.5% | 726 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.8% | 701 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.2% | 466 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.9% | 139 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.2% | 112 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 3.2% | 112 |
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 | 284 | 10.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,299 | 14.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,207 | 16.1% |
| 90-120k | 590 | 20.8% |
| 120-150k | 135 | 20.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 732 | 14.8% |
| 2022 | 722 | 17.0% |
| 2023 | 699 | 15.0% |
| 2024 | 687 | 15.6% |
| 2025 | 701 | 17.7% |
What to check before buying a 2009 XK
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 6.6% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (6.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2009 Jaguar XKs pass their MOT?
84.0% of the 3,541 2009 Jaguar XK MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Jaguar XK?
Suspension, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (4.9%).
Does the 2009 XK get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.2% in the 0-30k band to 20.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,541 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.