2008 Jaguar Xf — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 34,098 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Jaguar Xf, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 76.8% was in line with the average for executive cars of a similar age (77.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 25.8% in the 150k+ group versus 18.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 4,492 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.4% | 3,222 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.8% | 2,654 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.8% | 2,326 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 1,512 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.0% | 675 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 2,715 |
| 2 | Ball joint dust cover | 1,863 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 1,422 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,377 |
| 5 | Washers | 1,200 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 1,184 |
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 | 32.6% | 11,132 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.1% | 9,926 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.6% | 8,727 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 3,176 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 2,573 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 2,376 |
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 | 268 | 18.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,581 | 17.5% |
| 60-90k | 7,654 | 21.1% |
| 90-120k | 10,894 | 23.5% |
| 120-150k | 8,121 | 25.0% |
| 150k+ | 4,569 | 25.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 28,292 | 23.7% |
| Petrol | 5,806 | 20.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,232 | 21.7% |
| 2022 | 7,715 | 22.4% |
| 2023 | 7,097 | 23.8% |
| 2024 | 6,112 | 24.8% |
| 2025 | 4,942 | 23.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Xf
Before buying a 2008 Jaguar Xf, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.4% 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.
- Brakes (7.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2008 Jaguar Xfs pass their MOT?
76.8% of the 34,098 2008 Jaguar Xf MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Jaguar Xf?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by suspension (9.4%).
Does the 2008 Xf get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.3% in the 0-30k band to 25.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 34,098 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.