2003 Jaguar XK8 MOT pass rate: 76.3% (1,702 tests)
Is the 2003 XK8 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2003-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 75.5% +11.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 76.9% +12.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 76.5% +10.3 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2003 XK8
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 310 | 28.4% |
| 2 | Brakes | 202 | 18.5% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 146 | 13.4% |
| 4 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 119 | 10.9% |
| 5 | Body, chassis, structure | 81 | 7.4% |
| 6 | Tyres | 73 | 6.7% |
All XK8 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1,939 | 78.0% | +11.3 pts | 82,442 |
| 2002 | 1,785 | 76.6% | +10.9 pts | 82,384 |
| 2003 (this page) | 1,702 | 76.3% | +11.2 pts | 81,565 |
| 2004 | 1,617 | 78.9% | +14.5 pts | 79,224 |
| 2005 | 1,783 | 79.5% | +14.9 pts | 73,418 |
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FAQs
Is a 2003 Jaguar XK8 reliable?
2003-registered examples passed 76.3% of their MOT tests (1,702 tests, 2023–2025), +11.2 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 23 years old with a median 81,565 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2003 XK8?
The median tested example shows 81,565 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.