Jaguar XJ MOT pass rate and common problems
82.3% of 49,102 Jaguar XJ MOT tests pass.
At 82.3%, the XJ passes slightly less often than the average across all Jaguar models (85.1%).
The Jaguar XJ has a pass rate of 82.3%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Jaguar XJ?
This is the average across every Jaguar XJ in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Jaguar’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 92.8% at 3–6 years to 77.9% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 92.8% | 2,180 | 38,276 miles |
| 6–10 years | 91.2% | 8,536 | 63,048 miles |
| 10–15 years | 83.7% | 12,085 | 97,205 miles |
| 15+ years | 77.9% | 26,300 | 99,460 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Jaguar XJ
The most common reason the Jaguar XJ fails its MOT is suspension — present in 57.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 57.6% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 34.5% | Not working |
| Brakes | 34.0% | Excessively corroded |
| Tyres | 23.1% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 16.4% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Visibility | 14.8% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 14.0% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Steering | 10.2% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.8% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Road Wheels | 2.8% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Jaguar XJ: what to check
These checks follow the Jaguar XJ’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Jaguar XJ comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 91.2% to 83.7%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 90.5% down to 82.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 57.6% of failed Jaguar XJ MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 17.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 34.5% of failed Jaguar XJ MOTs. 10.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.1% at 3–6 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 34.0% of failed Jaguar XJ MOTs. 11.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 2.2% at 3–6 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 23.1% of failed Jaguar XJ MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 16.4% of failed Jaguar XJ MOTs. 5.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 0.6% at 3–6 years.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Jaguar service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Jaguar models
- Jaguar F-Pace — 90.5% pass rate
- Jaguar Xe — 87.1% pass rate
- Jaguar E-Pace — 91.9% pass rate
- Jaguar X-Type — 64.9% pass rate
- Jaguar I-Pace — 94.7% pass rate
- Jaguar F-Type — 94.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Jaguar XJ?
- 82.3% of Jaguar XJ MOT tests pass, based on 49,102 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Jaguar XJ?
- The most common reason the Jaguar XJ fails its MOT is suspension — present in 57.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt".
- What are the common problems with the Jaguar XJ?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Jaguar XJ are suspension; lights and electrics; brakes. Rare on young cars, but 17.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Jaguar XJ?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; exhaust, emissions and leaks. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Jaguar XJ's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Jaguar service history guide for how to check and keep one.