JAGUAR XK8 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 1,482 MOT tests from 69 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every JAGUAR XK8 has the same fault.

JAGUAR XK8's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 509/999. The score was calculated from the average of every JAGUAR XK8 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

JAGUAR XK8 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	517/999Above average	84,066 miles	998 vehicles
N/A	N/A	501/999Above average	77,476 miles	624 vehicles

How reliable is the JAGUAR XK8?

Based on 1,482 MOT tests from 69 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

MOT tests

1,482

Pass rate

75.9%

Median mileage

93,058 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every JAGUAR XK8 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 511 out of 999.

Common JAGUAR XK8 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 216 advisory comments and 32 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 54 advisory comments and 20 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT LOWER SHOCK ABSORBER HAS A SLIGHTLY WORN BUSH (2.7.4)

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 38 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (3.5.1G)

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 31 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LAMP INDICATES AN ABS FAULT (3.4.1C)

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 27 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 27 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE: EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (3.7.B.7)

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 16 advisory comments and 8 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT BRAKE PIPE SLIGHTLY CORRODED (3.6.B.2C)

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 18 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (3.5.1I)

JAGUAR XK8 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2005	11	243	77.4%	Tyre wear, Anti-roll bar issues
2004	10	211	80.1%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
1999	8	170	79.4%	Corrosion, Brake pad wear
1998	9	208	77.4%	Coil spring issues, Tyre wear
1997	9	216	71.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
1996	5	73	75.3%	Tyre wear, Corrosion

What to check when buying a used JAGUAR XK8

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Buying a JAGUAR XK8?

Common problems tell you what can affect JAGUAR XK8s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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