Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 Jaguar S Type?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2005 Jaguar S Type?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2005 Jaguar S Type?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2005 Jaguar S Type vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

40% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2005 Jaguar S Type reliable?

Based on MOT data from 5,838 vehicles, the 2005 Jaguar S Type has a first-time MOT pass rate of 77.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2005 Jaguar S Type?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2005 Jaguar S Type are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (77.4% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (77.2% of vehicles), Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (61% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2005 Jaguar S Type?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Jaguar S Type (2005)

5,838 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.5% first-time pass rate

2005 Jaguar S Type

CarHunch analysed 5,838 real MOT records for the 2005 Jaguar S Type. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2005 Jaguar S-TYPE is slightly below the UK average for first-time MOT passes at 77.5% versus 80%, and nearly 40% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for buyers. Diesel variants perform fractionally worse at 76.8% pass rate compared to petrol at 78.7%, though both lag the national benchmark.

These cars are running at relatively modest mileage for their age (median 80,844 miles), yet they're still accumulating serious problems: an average of 3.83 failures and 20.3 advisories per vehicle suggest systemic wear or design weaknesses rather than just high-mileage abuse. Before purchasing, insist on a full specialist inspection focused on the electrical and cooling systems, which typically dominate Jaguar failure patterns, and factor in above-average maintenance costs.

The 2005 Jaguar S Type has a decent first-time pass rate (77.5%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

77.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

39.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.83

Over 16.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

81k

Middle half: 64k–99k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 20.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 5,838 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 5,838 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 77.4%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 61%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Oil leak, but not excessive · …

Brake wear 36.3%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 5,838 Jaguar S Type cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 1.9 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

78.7%

Petrol

2,160 vehicles

76.8%

Diesel

3,672 vehicles

Before you buy a 2005 Jaguar S Type

Based on MOT data from 5,838 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 39.8% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (63%)	3,672	76.8%	3.81
Petrol (37%)	2,160	78.7%	3.86

Colour Breakdown

Based on 61,668 Jaguar S Type vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 30.3%

18,682

Silver 23.4%

14,416

Black 12.6%

7,743

Green 12.4%

7,673

Grey 9.2%

5,689

Red 6.4%

3,941

Beige 3.9%

2,388

Gold 1.2%

713

White 0.4%

234

Bronze 0.2%

Maroon 0.1%

Orange 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Jaguar S Type vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

80,844

typical

63,686

low mileage

99,343

high mileage

Half of all 2005 Jaguar S Type vehicles fall between 63,686 and 99,343 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 63,686 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 63,686–99,343 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Jaguar S Types sit.

⚠ Over 134,113 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 Jaguar S Type — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 24% of 2005 Jaguar S Types are still active.

Numbers are declining — 1,215 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (24% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

16.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.83

Avg failures per vehicle

20.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Jaguar S Type: All S Type years → Which year to buy? →

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2006 2007

Or browse all models: Jaguar →

Compare with another model

See how the 2005 Jaguar S Type stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing