2010 Jaguar XK — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,459 MOT tests, the 2010 Jaguar XK recorded an 86.0% pass rate. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (19.2% fail rate), the 2010 XK comes out 5.2pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (6.1%) and lighting & signalling (4.5%) 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 223 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 18.8% versus 11.2%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.1% | 212 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 157 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.1% | 143 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.8% | 97 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.1% | 74 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 41 |
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 | 223 |
| 2 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 103 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 73 |
| 4 | Wipers | 61 |
| 5 | Washers | 58 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 48 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 21.9% | 759 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.4% | 638 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.7% | 439 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 5.1% | 178 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.7% | 128 |
| 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 | 367 | 11.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,404 | 12.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,091 | 14.5% |
| 90-120k | 478 | 16.1% |
| 120-150k | 86 | 25.6% |
| 150k+ | 32 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 687 | 13.0% |
| 2022 | 695 | 13.2% |
| 2023 | 691 | 13.6% |
| 2024 | 702 | 16.8% |
| 2025 | 684 | 13.5% |
What to check before buying a 2010 XK
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 6.1% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (6.1% 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 (4.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.1% 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 2010 Jaguar XKs pass their MOT?
86.0% of the 3,459 2010 Jaguar XK MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Jaguar XK?
Suspension, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (4.5%).
Does the 2010 XK get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.2% in the 0-30k band to 18.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,459 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.