CarCostCheck

JAGUAR XK8 (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,056 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4196cc Petrol

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £2757/year to run. Close to the national average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific JAGUAR XK8

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Petrol4196cc23 years old1,056 tests86k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4196cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 4196cc

£760
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,757
Per month£230/mo
Per week£53/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this JAGUAR XK8

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

81% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the JAGUAR brand average of 88%.

At 23 years old, 81% of JAGUAR XK8s from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,056 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 85,692 miles.

Got a JAGUAR XK8 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars91th of 445(top 20%)
Rank among JAGUAR models235th of 299(top 79%)
vs national average-1%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average+9%(72% avg)
vs JAGUAR average-7%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

85,692

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 JAGUAR XK8 has 85,692 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific JAGUAR XK8?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2005 model with a 84% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 76%. The 2003 sits between the two at 81%.

JAGUAR XK8 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200878%5474,178 mi
200781%11882,289 mi
200682%22377,653 mi
200584%1,03577,288 mi
200483%1,02382,427 mi
200381%1,05685,692 mi
200276%1,19984,611 mi
200183%1,26384,129 mi
200076%90987,561 mi
199980%1,47785,412 mi
199881%2,94792,422 mi
199781%3,44387,294 mi
199681%93694,875 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Jaguar Xk8

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2003 JAGUAR XK8

The 2003 JAGUAR XK8 is a premium performance with a 4196cc petrol engine. 1,056 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It ranks in the top 20% of all 2003 cars for reliability.

With an average of 85,692 miles at 23 years old, JAGUAR XK8 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 JAGUAR XK8 Fuel Costs

The 4196cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 JAGUAR XK8?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 81% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

JAGUAR XK8 Reliability Trend

The JAGUAR XK8 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 0 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 JAGUAR XK8

At 23 years old, the JAGUAR XK8 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2005 model has the highest pass rate at 84%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 JAGUAR XK8's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 23 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 86k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2003 JAGUAR XK8 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
JAGUAR XK8(2003)81%£1592£760Grp 35-50£2757
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2005)82%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510
PORSCHE 911(2005)90%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2097-£660
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER(2003)77%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£360
ROVER 75(2004)69%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2597-£160

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Jaguar Models

Explore other Jaguar cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Jaguar Xk8.

Check a specific JAGUAR XK8

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a JAGUAR XK8? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB