Jaguar S-type Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Jaguar S-type car check
Is the Jaguar S-type reliable? We analysed 942,176 real MOT tests across 62,116 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Jaguar S-type? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Jaguar S-type is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Jaguar S-type.
Jaguar S-type Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Jaguar S-type. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Jaguar S-type MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Jaguar S-type to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Jaguar S-type Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Jaguar S-type fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Jaguar S-type Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Jaguar S-type owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Jaguar S-type MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Jaguar S-type year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 55 | 72.7% | 57,106 | 75,622 | 109,524 |
| 2008 | 260 | 78.1% | 28,204 | 52,822 | 77,200 |
| 2007 | 70,324 | 77.8% | 43,672 | 68,411 | 96,339 |
| 2006 | 80,363 | 78.1% | 48,210 | 73,291 | 100,584 |
| 2005 | 96,135 | 76.4% | 48,708 | 73,908 | 101,710 |
| 2004 | 121,645 | 76.8% | 48,279 | 73,418 | 100,815 |
| 2003 | 115,596 | 76.0% | 49,520 | 74,810 | 102,356 |
| 2002 | 116,978 | 73.9% | 51,636 | 76,503 | 104,353 |
| 2001 | 105,665 | 71.6% | 58,216 | 81,870 | 107,080 |
| 2000 | 126,601 | 71.4% | 62,018 | 84,695 | 109,521 |
| 1999 | 103,201 | 70.8% | 64,330 | 86,446 | 110,920 |
| 1998 | 301 | 73.1% | 68,788 | 89,256 | 111,561 |
| 1996 | 99 | 74.7% | 72,693 | 78,476 | 84,632 |
| 1990 | 119 | 74.8% | 24,964 | 92,971 | 106,322 |
| 1968 | 791 | 79.9% | 18,683 | 51,420 | 74,280 |
| 1967 | 571 | 80.7% | 28,932 | 57,973 | 73,304 |
| 1966 | 930 | 79.8% | 33,686 | 60,927 | 76,666 |
| 1965 | 756 | 81.7% | 32,858 | 57,153 | 78,199 |
| 1964 | 400 | 82.5% | 12,910 | 43,845 | 67,765 |
How Long Does a Jaguar S-type Last?
Based on 62,116 Jaguar S-type vehicles on UK roads.
Jaguar S-type Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Jaguar S-type MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Jaguar S-type
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
82.5% MOT pass rate from 400 tests
70.8% MOT pass rate from 103,201 tests
The best year to buy a used Jaguar S-type is 1964, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.5% across 400 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Jaguar S-type Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar S-type THIS CAR | 74.5% | 942,176 | 77,805 mi | 27 yrs |
| Jaguar X-type | 73.4% | 1,912,556 | 80,596 mi | 25 yrs |
| Jaguar Xf | 80.8% | 1,374,522 | 65,620 mi | 18 yrs |
| Jaguar Xj | 76.7% | 909,077 | 86,183 mi | 38 yrs |
| BMW Z4 | 79.5% | 699,787 | 54,403 mi | 23 yrs |
Compared to the Jaguar X-type (73.4% pass rate) and the Jaguar Xf (80.8% pass rate), the Jaguar S-type sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Jaguar S-type you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Jaguar S-typeShould you buy a used Jaguar S-type?
The Jaguar S-type has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.5% across 942,176 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Jaguar S-type are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (43,168 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (20,758), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (19,128). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Jaguar S-type owner drives around 4,736 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Jaguar S-type models stay on UK roads for around 27 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.