Used Jaguar XE 2015-2024 reliability review
The Jaguar XE is stylish and great to drive, but some alternatives are more rounded.
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What's the used Jaguar XE like?
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George Hill
Updated: 30 July 2025
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What should I look for in a used Jaguar XE?
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
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The XE is an exemplary motorway car and may well have accumulated a lot of high-speed miles, so check for stone chips on the bodywork and also for kerb damage to the alloy wheels caused by over-enthusiastic parking.
Check the condition of the seat fabrics, too, because these can become easily scuffed.
As with any used car, make sure the XE you're looking at has a full service history with maintenance carried out at the scheduled intervals. This is because Jaguar's four-cylinder engines are known to have issues with the timing chain if the engine is not properly maintained. If the timing chain is faulty, you'll hear a rattling or knocking noise from the engine, especially on start-up.
What are the most common problems with a used Jaguar XE?
Vehicle fails to meet CO2 levels
A number of examples produced from the start of production until 20 November 2018 might have a problem emitting the correct levels of CO2. A software update to the engine should rectify this.
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Instrument cluster may go blank
A software issue on vehicles made between 1 September 2016 and 17 August 2017 can lead to the instrument cluster going blank intermittently. A software update should be able to sort this issue.
Fuel leak
There have been a few recalls relating to fuel leaks. The first is due to a fuel return hose that could leak on models made between 1 November 2016 and 6 April 2017. The second is for petrol models constructed from 1 September 2016 and 17 August 2017 where a leak can originate from the fuel rail. The third and final recall is to do with leaks from the fuel cooler fitted to early diesel XEs made up until 30 June 2016. In all cases, speak to a Jaguar dealer to find out if either affects your car.
Engine may cut out
The fuel feed could detach on some cars manufactured until 25 February 2016, and any affected XE will need to have an extra clamp fitted to the relevant hose at a Jaguar dealer to sort this issue.
Seatbelt pre-tensioners
There have been two recalls for the pre-tensioners not operating correctly in a collision. The first applies to XEs made between 16 February and 16 December 2016, while the second relates only to the one for the driver's seat of cars constructed between 22 September 2015 and 23 March 2016.
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Click here for more information. Contact your local Jaguar dealer if you believe your vehicle is involved in a recall.
Is a used Jaguar XE reliable?
Our data suggests the Jaguar XE is substandard for reliability. In our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, it ranked 12th out of 24 cars in the executive car class with a disappointing score of 88.1%, with 11.3% of owners experiencing issues.
As a brand, Jaguar came 20th out of 31 manufacturers with an overall score of 90.1%.
Exhaust and non-engine electrical issues were the main issues owners cited – they accounted for 8.6% of faults each. Suspension and engine electrical issues were also problems, with a fault rate of 5.7% each.
The XE is less reliable than petrol BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 models, but more reliable than the Alfa Romeo Giulia and diesel 3 Series models.
Used Jaguar XE: owners' reliability data
As part of our 2024 Reliability Survey, many Jaguar XE owners reported frequent issues with electrical systems, particularly faulty infotainment units and malfunctioning warning lights. Engine problems, such as oil leaks and turbocharger failures, were also common, often leading to costly repairs.
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The experiences with Jaguar dealerships were mixed, too. Some readers appreciated the courteous and knowledgeable service, noting efficient and satisfactory repairs. However, many owners expressed dissatisfaction with the overall service quality. Complaints included long appointment wait times, delays in obtaining parts, and high repair costs.
Several readers also reported that issues were not resolved on the first visit, necessitating multiple trips to the dealership.
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About the writer
Name: George Hill
Title: Used car writer
Follow George Hill on
George Hill first joined the What Car? team as a staff writer in 2021, before becoming a used car writer in 2024 and a reviewer in 2026. In his current role he writes new car reviews for What Car? magazine and whatcar.com.
If you follow What Car? on social media, you might see him presenting the odd video on new cars too.
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