Jaguar XK8 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Jaguar XK8 car check
Is the Jaguar XK8 reliable? We analysed 236,376 real MOT tests across 12,687 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Jaguar XK8? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Jaguar XK8 is above 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 shock absorber has an excessively worn bush. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Jaguar XK8.
Jaguar XK8 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Jaguar XK8. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Jaguar XK8 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Jaguar XK8 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Jaguar XK8 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Jaguar XK8 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Jaguar XK8 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Jaguar XK8 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Jaguar XK8 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Jaguar XK8 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 108 | 83.3% | 29,918 | 49,732 | 75,241 |
| 2010 | 209 | 79.4% | 21,053 | 40,942 | 60,129 |
| 2009 | 251 | 84.5% | 26,938 | 46,950 | 68,380 |
| 2008 | 605 | 80.7% | 26,355 | 49,510 | 74,445 |
| 2007 | 1,009 | 82.7% | 28,322 | 52,872 | 78,832 |
| 2006 | 2,582 | 80.0% | 28,795 | 48,525 | 75,894 |
| 2005 | 15,446 | 79.5% | 34,388 | 53,601 | 77,906 |
| 2004 | 15,801 | 79.2% | 38,906 | 59,923 | 82,299 |
| 2003 | 17,700 | 78.4% | 39,932 | 61,442 | 86,822 |
| 2002 | 20,407 | 78.1% | 43,355 | 64,899 | 88,794 |
| 2001 | 22,699 | 78.4% | 48,278 | 69,640 | 91,722 |
| 2000 | 18,511 | 76.3% | 50,088 | 71,281 | 95,432 |
| 1999 | 19,607 | 75.4% | 53,331 | 76,018 | 98,514 |
| 1998 | 39,414 | 74.7% | 60,212 | 81,930 | 104,968 |
| 1997 | 47,328 | 75.1% | 59,070 | 82,053 | 105,889 |
| 1996 | 14,017 | 72.8% | 63,808 | 86,897 | 110,558 |
How Long Does a Jaguar XK8 Last?
Based on 12,687 Jaguar XK8 vehicles on UK roads.
Jaguar XK8 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Jaguar XK8 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 XK8
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.5% MOT pass rate from 251 tests
72.8% MOT pass rate from 14,017 tests
The best year to buy a used Jaguar XK8 is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.5% across 251 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Jaguar XK8 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar XK8 THIS CAR | 76.5% | 236,376 | 72,859 mi | 30 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 S-type | 74.5% | 942,176 | 77,805 mi | 27 yrs |
| Citroen Ax | 62.4% | 349,985 | 76,919 mi | 37 yrs |
Compared to the Jaguar X-type (73.4% pass rate) and the Jaguar Xf (80.8% pass rate), the Jaguar XK8 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Jaguar XK8 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 XK8Should you buy a used Jaguar XK8?
The Jaguar XK8 has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.5% across 236,376 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Jaguar XK8 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (8,041 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (4,072), and shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (3,307). 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 XK8 owner drives around 1,961 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 XK8 models stay on UK roads for around 30 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.