Jaguar XJ: what fails at MOT
32,000 MOT tests on the Jaguar XJ in 2024, counted. 18.8% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
18.8% of Jaguar XJ tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 32.6%, so the XJ does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (4.1% of tests), lights and electrics (3.2% of tests) and tyres (2.9% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 326 | 10.1% | 11.5% | 30,200 20,800 to 41,300 |
| 2019 | 908 | 6.9% | 13.4% | 33,500 22,200 to 47,000 |
| 2018 | 1,459 | 8.1% | 15.6% | 41,400 28,800 to 52,800 |
| 2017 | 1,831 | 9.4% | 18.2% | 49,800 37,200 to 64,200 |
| 2016 | 2,398 | 11.5% | 21.3% | 56,200 41,800 to 78,800 |
| 2015 | 1,990 | 10.8% | 24.4% | 62,900 44,700 to 82,600 |
| 2014 | 2,029 | 14.5% | 27.7% | 73,900 54,100 to 104,900 |
| 2013 | 2,298 | 15.5% | 30.6% | 90,900 67,300 to 114,400 |
| 2012 | 2,066 | 15.3% | 33.4% | 92,000 68,600 to 114,300 |
| 2011 | 3,074 | 20.6% | 36.1% | 98,500 74,700 to 122,000 |
| 2010 | 2,569 | 22.2% | 38.6% | 103,900 76,200 to 133,500 |
| 2009 | 1,106 | 19.1% | 39.8% | 91,700 68,000 to 128,300 |
| 2008 | 1,527 | 28.2% | 41.5% | 97,300 70,100 to 128,200 |
| 2007 | 2,135 | 24.9% | 41.5% | 97,100 74,200 to 127,400 |
| 2006 | 2,266 | 25.6% | 42.4% | 101,200 73,800 to 130,000 |
| 2005 | 1,702 | 26.9% | 42.2% | 103,200 77,600 to 130,800 |
| 2004 | 2,601 | 31.1% | 42.3% | 107,500 81,900 to 133,100 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Jaguar XJ tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | XJ | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 4.1% | 8.0% | Less than most |
| Lights and electrics | 3.2% | 9.7% | Less than most |
| Tyres | 2.9% | 4.5% | Less than most |
| Brakes | 2.6% | 5.8% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.7% | 3.6% | Less than most |
| Steering | 1.1% | 1.8% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.0% | 2.8% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 0.5% | 3.3% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.3%
- Ball joint dust cover1.3%
- Washers1.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.1%
- Tyre tread1.0%
- Track rod end0.9%
- Headlamp aim0.9%
- Number plate light0.7%
- Coil spring0.7%
- Engine warning light0.7%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Ball joint dust cover: no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.1%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.9%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.9%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.7%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.7%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps0.6%
- Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.6%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.6%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.6%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge8.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.7%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened3.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.2%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.1%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.1%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.7%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive1.8%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Jaguar XJ's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.