CarHistory.cc
‹ Jaguar

Jaguar XJ years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

11,098 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2003–2016 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

All 9 Jaguar XJ years have MOT pass rates above the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

73.7%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 72.8% to 74.5%.

In 2025, 73.7% of the 11,098 initial MOT tests on Jaguar XJ cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 60.8%. That is 12.9 points above the same-age average.

Check a specific XJ

Its own MOT history, free.

Jaguar XJ MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2016age 91,02165,70084.6%±2.4+9.7 ptsall: 74.9%
2013age 121,09992,50076.8%±2.6+11.0 ptsall: 65.8%
2011age 141,451100,90075.1%±2.3+13.9 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 151,272103,50075.9%±2.5+16.6 ptsall: 59.3%
2007age 181,12499,80070.7%±2.8+13.3 ptsall: 57.4%
2006age 191,191103,80070.6%±2.7+13.6 ptsall: 57.0%
2005age 201,044104,30071.7%±2.9+14.1 ptsall: 57.6%
2004age 211,435104,50069.3%±2.5+11.5 ptsall: 57.8%
2003age 221,461108,60070.6%±2.4+11.9 ptsall: 58.7%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Jaguar XJ first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

82.5% of Jaguar XJ tests at 30,000 to 59,999 miles passed first time, against 68.9% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 71.7% and 55.6%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
30,000–59,9991,44082.5%±2.1+10.8 ptsall: 71.7%
60,000–89,9992,80775.1%±1.7+12.7 ptsall: 62.4%
90,000–119,9993,18172.4%±1.6+15.2 ptsall: 57.1%
120,000 or more3,42968.9%±1.6+13.2 ptsall: 55.6%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, XJ tests were above average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Jaguar XJ tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: under 30,000. 5 tests (under 0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common XJ problems at the MOT

Share of the 2,924 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

Most common MOT failures on the Jaguar XJ

The defects recorded most often at the 2,924 failed initial tests on Jaguar XJ cars, all years together, in the DVSA's own words. Each share is of failed tests, and a failed test can have more than one defect.

DefectShare of failed testsAll vehicles, same age
Suspension arm pin or bush excessively wornSuspension10.5%307 tests5.0%
Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirtSuspension10.2%298 tests2.4%
Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunctionNoise, emissions, leaks9.1%265 tests6.1%
Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirtSteering9.0%262 tests1.3%
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirtSuspension6.8%199 tests3.8%
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres6.6%193 tests6.5%
Tyre has ply or cords exposedTyres5.6%163 tests4.0%
Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lampsLights and electrics5.1%150 tests4.6%
Headlamp not working on dipped beamLights and electrics4.9%143 tests4.9%
Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes4.9%142 tests4.5%

These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the XJ's failed tests in each year. How we count

What to check when viewing a XJ

Based on the areas where Jaguar XJ MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Suspension

    In 41.1% of failed XJ tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

  2. Lights and electrics

    In 27.3% of failed XJ tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a XJ's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Jaguar XJ cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Jaguar XJ cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.6% failed on tyres, against 4.0% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 2,040 and 8,720 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory7.6%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.0%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 19.2% of those with a tyre advisory and 18.5% of the others.

Brakes

Of Jaguar XJ cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 8.1% failed on brakes, against 3.9% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,760 and 8,919 cars.

  • With a brake advisory8.1%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted3.9%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 20.8% of those with a brake advisory and 18.2% of the others.

Suspension

Of Jaguar XJ cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 14.0% failed on suspension, against 8.1% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,788 and 8,132 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory14.0%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted8.1%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 21.9% of those with a suspension advisory and 17.9% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Jaguar XJ questions

Which Jaguar XJ years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2003–2007, 2010–2011, 2013 and 2016. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Jaguar XJ reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 73.7% of initial MOT tests on Jaguar XJ cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 60.8%. That is 12.9 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Jaguar XJ problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are suspension (in 41.1% of failed tests) and lights and electrics (in 27.3% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 15-year-old Jaguar XJ?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Jaguar XJ cars first used in 2010, about 15 years old, had a median of 103,500 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific XJ's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Jaguar XJ

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Jaguar models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 9 Jaguar modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Jaguar XJ cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count