2012 Jaguar XK — MOT failures & pass rate
3,086 MOT tests on the 2012 Jaguar XK are in this dataset, and 88.7% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (16.2% fail rate), the 2012 XK comes out 4.9pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.2%) and suspension (4.1%) 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, linkage ball joint dust cover and wipers — ball joint dust cover alone was recorded 106 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 18.6% once past 90-120k — 3.0× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.2% | 128 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.1% | 127 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.4% | 106 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 77 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.0% | 32 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 25 |
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 | 106 |
| 2 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 65 |
| 3 | Wipers | 64 |
| 4 | Washers | 63 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 41 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 41 |
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 | 20.9% | 644 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.9% | 430 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.7% | 298 |
| 4 | Road wheels | 3.4% | 104 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.2% | 98 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.0% | 94 |
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 | 620 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,562 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 717 | 13.4% |
| 90-120k | 167 | 18.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 627 | 10.4% |
| 2022 | 631 | 12.0% |
| 2023 | 610 | 11.0% |
| 2024 | 614 | 11.7% |
| 2025 | 604 | 11.6% |
What to check before buying a 2012 XK
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.2% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.2% 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.
- Suspension (4.1% 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.
- Visibility (3.4% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2012 Jaguar XKs pass their MOT?
88.7% of the 3,086 2012 Jaguar XK MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Jaguar XK?
Tyres, recorded in 4.2% of tests, followed by suspension (4.1%).
Does the 2012 XK get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 18.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,086 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.