Jaguar F-Type MOT Failures: Common Issues & Parts Guide (X152, 2013–2023)
The Jaguar F-Type was the first dedicated Jaguar sports car since the E-Type, after decades of grand tourers (XJS, XK) — and it looked the part. Available as a coupe or convertible, with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo, 3.0-litre supercharged V6 (in 340hp and 380hp forms), or the thunderous 5.0-litre supercharged V8 (495hp and 550hp in the R), it combined genuine performance with striking design. With the earliest cars now 13 years old and over 14,800 MOT tests recorded in 2024, here's what's failing and the parts you need.
F-Type MOT Pass Rate
The F-Type holds an excellent 91.9% MOT pass rate — 15.2 percentage points above the UK average of 76.7%. This is one of the highest pass rates across the entire JLR range, reflecting the F-Type's lower average mileage and the care that sports car owners typically lavish on their vehicles.
| Model Year | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 91.5% | 1,089 |
| 2020 | 91.5% | 949 |
| 2019 | 92.4% | 1,654 |
| 2018 | 92.3% | 1,815 |
| 2017 | 90.7% | 2,115 |
| 2016 | 92.3% | 2,063 |
| 2015 | 91.8% | 1,966 |
| 2014 | 91.0% | 2,086 |
| 2013 | 88.6% | 1,136 |
The median mileage at MOT is just 28,300 miles — remarkably low, confirming the F-Type's status as a weekend and fair-weather car for many owners. Even the 2013 models are passing at nearly 89%. However, 37.2% of failure items are classed as dangerous — one of the highest dangerous ratios of any Jaguar — driven almost entirely by tyre failures on a powerful rear-wheel-drive sports car.
1. Tyres & Wheels — A Dominant 45.8% of All Failures
Tyres and wheels are overwhelmingly the #1 failure area on the F-Type, accounting for 45.8% of all recorded failure items (851 items). Nearly half of everything that causes an F-Type to fail its MOT is tyre or wheel related.
What Fails
- Tyre seriously damaged — 318 failures (the #1 individual item)
- Tyre tread depth non-compliant — 311 failures (the #2 individual item)
- Tyre cords visible or damaged — 103 failures
- Tyre lump, bulge or tear from structural failure — 26 failures
- Loose or missing wheel nut/bolt — 24 failures
- TPMS malfunctioning — 23 failures
That's 782 tyre failures from 14,838 tests — more than 1 in 19 F-Types fails on tyres alone. The combination of a powerful rear-wheel-drive car (AWD optional from 2015), low-profile performance tyres, staggered setups (wider rears), and large 18"–20" wheels creates a perfect storm. The rear tyres wear dramatically faster than the fronts — particularly on the V8 models — and sidewall damage from potholes and kerb strikes is common on the low-profile rubber.
What You Need
| Part | Shop |
|---|---|
| TPMS Sensors & Modules | View parts |
| Wheel Bolts, Caps & Nuts | View parts |
Tip: On RWD models, check rear tyre wear at every service. The V8 eats rear tyres — expect 8,000–12,000 miles from a set. AWD models are kinder on the rears but still wear them faster than the fronts. Budget accordingly — performance tyres for 19" and 20" wheels are not cheap.
2. Visibility — 18.0% of Failures (Wipers & Washers)
A surprise #2: visibility issues account for 18.0% of all failure items (334 items), with wiper blades and windscreen washers dominating. This is an unusually high ranking for visibility.
What Fails
- Wiper blade missing or not clearing windscreen — 203 failures (the #3 individual item — remarkably high)
- Windscreen washers non-functional — 124 failures (the #4 individual item)
The wiper blade count at 203 is the third most common failure across all categories — strikingly high for any car, let alone a low-mileage sports car. This likely reflects the F-Type's usage pattern: cars stored for weeks or months between use develop perished wiper rubber, and owners may not notice until the MOT. The washer system failures (124) reinforce this — jets block and pumps seize from inactivity.
What You Need
| Part | Shop |
|---|---|
| Wiper Arms & Blades | View parts |
Tip: If your F-Type is stored or used infrequently, replace the wiper blades before every MOT — they're cheap and it's the third most common reason for failure. Run the washers monthly to prevent jet blockage and pump seizure.
3. Suspension — 7.9% of Failures
Suspension accounts for 7.9% of failure items (146 items) — much lower than the XJ and XF, reflecting the F-Type's lower mileage and sportier, simpler suspension design.
What Fails
- Suspension joint dust cover missing or deteriorated — 82 failures
- Suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn — 23 failures
- Spring or component fractured/weakened — 20 failures
The spring fracture count at 20 is lower than on the saloon models but still present — the same rear spring corrosion issue affects the F-Type, though less frequently due to lower mileage.
What You Need
| Part | Shop |
|---|---|
| Wishbones, Control Arms & Links | View parts |
| Bushes, Bearings & Mountings | View parts |
| Shock Absorbers & Springs | View parts |
| Tie Rod Ends & Track Rod Ends | View parts |
4. Lamps & Lighting — 7.6% of Failures
Lighting issues account for 7.6% of failure items (142 items).
What Fails
- Number plate does not conform — 70 failures (the #8 individual item — includes non-compliant aftermarket plates)
- Headlamp aim outside limits — 31 failures
- Headlamp cleaning device inoperative (LED/HID) — 19 failures
- Headlamp or light source missing/inoperative — 17 failures
- Lamp missing or inoperative — 16 failures
- Rear registration plate lamp inoperative — 16 failures
The number plate non-conformity count at 70 is notably high — likely reflecting aftermarket "show plates" and tinted plate covers fitted by enthusiast owners. The headlamp washer failure at 19 is the same issue as the XJ — mandatory for HID/xenon-equipped cars.
What You Need
| Part | Shop |
|---|---|
| Indicators & Side Markers | View parts |
Tip: Aftermarket number plates and tinted plate covers will fail the MOT. The plate must be BS AU 145e compliant. If you've fitted a show plate, swap it back before the test.
5. Brakes — 7.5% of Failures
Brakes account for 7.5% of failure items (140 items).
What Fails
- Brake lining/pad worn below 1.5mm — 50 failures
- Excessive fluctuation in brake effort — 19 failures
- Brake pad worn to wear indicator — 18 failures
- Brake disc significantly worn — 17 failures
- Brake disc excessively weakened or fractured — 13 failures
The "excessive fluctuation" count at 19 is notable — this indicates warped or unevenly worn discs, common on performance cars where brakes get very hot. The fractured disc count at 13 is also high for the test volume, suggesting some F-Types are running on discs well past their service life.
What You Need
| Part | Shop |
|---|---|
| Brake Pads | View parts |
| Brake Discs | View parts |
| Brake Hydraulics | View parts |
| Brake Sensors & Switches | View parts |
| Brake Accessories & Fit Kits | View parts |
Tip: Cars that sit for long periods develop disc corrosion — the first few miles of driving may clear it, but deep pitting won't polish out and causes brake judder. If the car has been standing, inspect the discs before the MOT.
6. Emissions & Exhaust — 6.1% of Failures
Emissions issues account for 6.1% of failure items (114 items). The engine management light is the most common individual item.
What Fails
- Engine MIL illuminated — 86 failures (the #6 individual item overall)
- Lambda coefficient outside limits — 18 failures
- SRS (airbag) MIL indicating malfunction — 9 failures
The MIL count at 86 is relatively high for a petrol-only car range (no diesel F-Types). Common triggers include lambda sensor degradation, catalytic converter inefficiency on higher-mileage V8s, and secondary air injection faults. The SRS (airbag) warning at 9 is a separate system but flags here too — often caused by a seat occupancy sensor or wiring fault rather than an actual airbag issue.
What You Need
| Part | Shop |
|---|---|
| Lambda Sensors | View parts |
| Exhaust Gaskets, Mountings & Clamps | View parts |
| Emission System Parts | View parts |
| Engine Sensors & Switches | View parts |
| Throttle Body | View parts |
Beyond the MOT: Major F-Type Faults That Drive Workshop Visits
These are the issues that don't show up on an MOT but bring F-Type owners into workshops.
Timing Chain Issues (3.0 SC V6 & 5.0 V8)
The same timing chain tensioner weakness shared across the JLR supercharged engine range. The chain stretches and the guides wear, with a cold-start rattle as the early warning sign. The 5.0 V8 is particularly affected — the tensioner design allows the chain to slacken overnight, and on restart the chain can jump teeth before oil pressure builds. If it jumps, the engine is destroyed. Regular oil changes with the correct specification are the best preventative measure.
| Part | Shop |
|---|---|
| Timing Chains, Tensioners & Dampers | View parts |
| Gaskets & Seals | View parts |
Water Pump & Cooling System (3.0 SC V6 & 5.0 V8)
The same cooling system issues as the XF and XJ supercharged engines. Coolant enters the water pump bearing housing and corrodes the bearing from within. The plastic coolant pipes and connectors become brittle with age and heat cycling — they tend to fail in clusters. Low coolant warnings and a weep around the pump pulley are the first signs.
| Part | Shop |
|---|---|
| Water Pumps | View parts |
| Hoses, Thermostats & Sensors | View parts |
| Expansion Tanks | View parts |
| Radiators | View parts |
| Fans, Motors & Parts | View parts |
| Radiator Misc Parts | View parts |
Differential Whine (V8 Models)
The rear differential on V8 F-Types can develop a whine or howl at motorway speeds, typically from worn bearings or degraded fluid. A differential fluid change can sometimes resolve early-stage noise. Left too long, the entire unit needs rebuilding or replacing — an expensive job given the limited-slip differential fitted to most V8 models.
| Part | Shop |
|---|---|
| Differential, Transfer Box & Gearbox Parts | View parts |
ZF 8-Speed Gearbox Issues
The ZF 8HP automatic — fitted to all F-Types — develops the same shifting issues as in other JLR models: jerky changes, delayed reactions, and hesitation. Degraded fluid and sticking solenoids are the usual causes. Despite Jaguar's "lifetime fill" claim, specialists recommend changing the gearbox fluid every 60,000–80,000 miles. On the F-Type, a harsh 1–2 upshift when cold is the classic early symptom.
| Part | Shop |
|---|---|
| Differential, Transfer Box & Gearbox Parts | View parts |
| Flywheel, Clutch & Cylinders | View parts |
| Transmission Sumps, Seals & Misc | View parts |
Convertible Roof Mechanism (Convertible Models)
The power-folding soft top uses a hydraulic mechanism that can develop leaks over time. Symptoms include slow operation, failure to fully latch, and warning messages. The hydraulic rams and pump are the common failure points. Water ingress through perished seals can also damage the boot-mounted electronics.
Electrical Cascading Faults
Like all modern Jaguars, the F-Type is sensitive to battery health. A weak battery triggers cascading warning lights across multiple systems. Cars that sit for weeks between use are particularly vulnerable — a trickle charger is essential for any F-Type that isn't driven regularly.
| Part | Shop |
|---|---|
| Batteries | View parts |
| Alternators | View parts |
| Starter Motors | View parts |
Exhaust Valve Actuator (V6 S and V8 Models)
The active exhaust system uses electronically controlled valves to switch between quiet and loud modes. The valve actuators fail, typically resulting in the exhaust stuck in "quiet" mode — disappointing but not dangerous. The actuators can be replaced individually.
| Part | Shop |
|---|---|
| Exhaust Gaskets, Mountings & Clamps | View parts |
Supercharger Nose Cone Bearing (3.0 V6 & 5.0 V8)
The Eaton supercharger's nose cone bearing can wear, producing a whine or rattle that increases with engine speed. On the V6, this is a relatively straightforward repair. On the V8 with its cross-plane crank supercharger, access is more difficult.
| Part | Shop |
|---|---|
| Belts, Pulleys & Tensioners | View parts |
| Gaskets & Seals | View parts |
F-Type MOT Failure Summary — At a Glance
| Failure Category | Share of Failures | Top Parts Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres & Wheels | 45.8% | TPMS Sensors, Wheel Bolts |
| Visibility | 18.0% | Wipers |
| Suspension | 7.9% | Arms & Links, Bushes, Springs |
| Lamps & Lighting | 7.6% | Indicators |
| Brakes | 7.5% | Pads, Discs |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 6.1% | Lambda Sensors, Emission Parts |
Keeping Your Jaguar F-Type on the Road
The F-Type is one of the most desirable sports cars of the last decade — and its 91.9% MOT pass rate shows it's well-built too. The aluminium construction means corrosion is a non-issue (body/structure failures are just 0.1% of the total), and even the oldest 2013 models are passing at nearly 89%.
The MOT story is dominated by just two things: tyres and wipers. Together they account for nearly two-thirds of all failures. Both are cheap and easy to address before the test. The real ownership risks are the mechanical items that don't appear on an MOT — timing chain tensioners, cooling system failures, and differential wear on the V8 models.
Keep on top of tyres, replace the wipers before the MOT, maintain a trickle charger if the car sits for long periods, and service it on schedule with the correct oil. Do that, and the F-Type will reward you for years.
Browse all Jaguar F-Type (X152) parts at myton.parts
We stock genuine, OEM, and aftermarket parts with next-day UK delivery available.
Service & Maintenance Parts
Regular servicing with the correct oil specification is critical — particularly for timing chain longevity on the supercharged engines. Gearbox fluid should be changed every 60,000–80,000 miles despite the "lifetime fill" claim.
| Part | Shop |
|---|---|
| Filters (oil, air, fuel, cabin) | View parts |
| Spark & Glow Plugs & Leads | View parts |
| Belts, Pulleys & Tensioners | View parts |
| Ignition System | View parts |
| Engine & Gearbox Mounts | View parts |
Data sourced from DVSA anonymised MOT test results (2024 test year, 14,838 tests on Jaguar F-Type models with first use dates 2013–2021). 1,858 individual failure items analysed. Specialist fault data from K Motors and Jaguar workshop reporting.