Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Jaguar Xkr?

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 1998 Jaguar Xkr?

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 1998 Jaguar Xkr?

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 1998 Jaguar Xkr vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

33% 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 1998 Jaguar Xkr reliable?

Based on MOT data from 607 vehicles, the 1998 Jaguar Xkr has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1998 Jaguar Xkr?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 Jaguar Xkr are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (66.3% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (63.6% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (51.9% 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 1998 Jaguar Xkr?

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 Xkr (1998)

607 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.9% first-time pass rate

1998 Jaguar Xkr

CarHunch analysed 607 real MOT records for the 1998 Jaguar Xkr. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1998 Jaguar XKR passes its first MOT attempt just 76.9% of the time, slightly below the UK average of 80%, and that's before you consider that nearly a third of these cars have recorded dangerous defects—a serious red flag for safety-critical systems. This is a high-mileage sports car with considerable mechanical complexity, and it shows.

At nearly 80,000 miles on the clock, these XKRs are racking up an average of 4.24 failures and 26.6 advisories per test, pointing to widespread wear across engines, suspension, and electrical systems typical of ageing Jaguars. Before committing to one, budget for a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with XKR-generation cars—the dangerous defect rate alone makes skipping this a false economy.

The 1998 Jaguar Xkr has a decent first-time pass rate (76.9%), 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

76.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

32.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.24

Over 17.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

80k

Middle half: 58k–98k

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 26.6 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 607 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 607 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 66.3%

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.

Brake wear 31.8%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

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

Exhaust & emissions 31.4%

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits

Suspension & steering 21.3%

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play · Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Rear Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has slight play in a universal joint · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Other issues 17.5%

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 607 Jaguar Xkr cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Jaguar Xkr

Based on MOT data from 607 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 32.5% 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
Petrol (100%)	605	76.9%	4.25

Colour Breakdown

Based on 12,220 Jaguar Xkr vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 28.3%

3,460

Blue 23.5%

2,869

Silver 15.1%

1,845

Grey 13.7%

1,671

Red 8.4%

1,032

Green 7.1%

869

White 2.7%

326

Beige 0.5%

Purple 0.3%

Gold 0.2%

Bronze 0.1%

Maroon 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Jaguar Xkr 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.

79,828

typical

58,144

low mileage

98,483

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Jaguar Xkr vehicles fall between 58,144 and 98,483 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 58,144 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.

✓ 58,144–98,483 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Jaguar Xkrs sit.

⚠ Over 132,952 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Jaguar Xkr — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 53% of 1998 Jaguar Xkrs are still active.

232 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 53% of the peak remain.

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

17.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.24

Avg failures per vehicle

26.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Or browse all models: Jaguar →

Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Jaguar Xkr stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing