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MOT fail rates by first-use year

2002 Jaguar S-Type MOT fail rate and common faults

How Jaguar S-Type cars first used in 2002 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2024, against all cars of the same age. From 4,034 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.

MOT data updated

At 22 years, tested in 2024

MOT fail rate at age 22 (n=1,116)39.7%
All cars at 22 years (n=913,980)41.0%
Difference−1.3 pts
MOT tests of 2002 cars, 2022 to 20244,034

What stands out

  • In 2024, at 22 years old, Jaguar S-Type cars first used in 2002 failed 39.7% of MOTs (1,116 tests), 1.3 points below the 41.0% for all cars that age.
  • From 2022 to 2024, as these cars went from 20 to 22 years old, the fail rate moved from 39.8% to 39.7%.
  • The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Jaguar S-Type at 22 years, is suspension arm ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt, at 5.2 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 1.0).

MOT fail rate by test year

Jaguar S-Type cars first used in 2002: share of MOT tests that failed, by test year, against all cars of the same age. Years with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
Test yearAgeMOT fail rateTests (n)All carsDifference
202220 years39.8%1,59342.8%−3.0 pts
202321 years41.3%1,32542.1%−0.8 pts
202422 years39.7%1,11641.0%−1.3 pts

Most common faults at 22 years

These figures cover all Jaguar S-Type MOTs at 22 years: cars first used 2000 to 2003, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=4,230). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.

MOT fail items

Fail itemPer 100 MOTsAll cars
Suspension arm ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.21.0
Engine warning lamp at the petrol emissions check: not working or showing a fault4.01.9
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.32.4
Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.10.5
Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.01.0
Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault2.91.1
Steering track rod end: ball joint play2.81.6
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.73.5
Wipers not clearing screen Wear2.53.5
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Wear2.43.2

Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=4,230). A test with two items counts once for each.

Advisories

AdvisoryPer 100 MOTsAll cars
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material21.415.9
Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear13.113.7
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive11.615.1
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened10.410.1
Suspension arm ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated10.42.0
Suspension pin or bush worn, without excessive movement9.46.7
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear9.310.4
Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened8.74.2
Brake pads wearing thin Wear7.25.0
Coil spring: corroded5.58.0

Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=4,230). A test with two items counts once for each.

Fuel type at 22 years

These figures cover all Jaguar S-Type MOTs at 22 years: cars first used 2000 to 2003, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=4,230). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.

FuelShare of testsMOT fail rateTests (n)All cars, same fuelMedian mileage
Petrol100.0%37.9%4,22240.6%89,332 miles

Fail rate by mileage at 22 years

These figures cover all Jaguar S-Type MOTs at 22 years: cars first used 2000 to 2003, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=4,230). At 22 years, Jaguar S-Type cars at 90,000 to 120,000 miles failed more often (41.1%, n=1,228) than those at 60,000 to 90,000 miles (36.1%, n=1,317). Bands with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.

Mileage at testMOT fail rateTests (n)All cars
60,000 to 90,000 miles36.1%1,31739.7%
90,000 to 120,000 miles41.1%1,22843.4%

Car tax rules for a 2002 car

  • Cars first registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from band A (the lowest emissions) to band M. The band is set by the CO2 figure on the V5C logbook.

These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check

ULEZ and clean air zones

  • Many petrol cars first registered from 2001 to 2005 already meet Euro 4, but not all of them. For a 2002 petrol car the Euro standard of that car decides.
  • Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 2002 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
  • The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.

The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker

Other years of the Jaguar S-Type

Other Jaguar models first used in 2002

ModelAge at testMOT fail rateTests (n)All cars
Jaguar X-Type (2002)23 years in 202539.7%1,05339.6%
Jaguar XK (2002)23 years in 202527.2%1,11239.6%

More on the Jaguar S-Type

Read this with care. A fail rate is not a measure of build quality. How far cars are driven, how they are used and how well owners maintain them all change it, and wear items such as tyres and brake pads are common fails. Compare a model only with cars of the same age. Methodology and limits.

Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.

These figures describe 2002 Jaguar S-Type cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.

See an example Buying Report All car tools

Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources

Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.