Jaguar Xjs MOT Failures
An analysis of 41,525 real DVSA MOT tests on the Jaguar Xjs — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: XJS-Early (1975–1991), XJS-Late (1992–1996).
Where the Jaguar Xjs fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Jaguar Xjs is wheel bearings worn — this model is 57 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 41,525 MOT tests, 11.87% of all Jaguar Xjs tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include power steering fault (207x the fleet average), fluid leak (46x the fleet average), emissions failure (122x the fleet average), and steering rack wear (34x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Jaguar Xjs's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Steering, Exhaust & Emissions, Seatbelts & Airbags, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Jaguar Xjs before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Jaguar Xjs's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Jaguar Xjs specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are power steering fault (207x the average) and emissions failure (121x). fluid leak (46x) and wheel bearings worn (38x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Jaguar Xjs specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (122x the average) and headlight fault (76x). transmission joint, belt or chain worn (55x) and power steering fault (31x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Jaguar Xjs specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are steering rack wear (34x the average) and emissions failure (18x). power steering fault (17x) and electrical wiring fault (15x) also appear frequently.
The shift from power steering fault at lower mileages to steering rack wear at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Jaguar Xjs specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Structural corrosion around suspension mounting points Dangerous
MOT data shows the XJS fails at 12.1x the fleet average for load-bearing structure corrosion within 30cm of suspension mounting points. Affects XJS-Early, XJS-Late; typical independent garage repair cost is £2,000–£4,000.
Power steering system failure Major
MOT data shows the XJS fails at 207.3x the fleet average for power steering fluid leaking or system malfunction, the highest failure rate in the entire dataset. Affects XJS-Early, XJS-Late; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,000.
V12 Cylinder Heads Major
The V12 engine uses aluminium cylinder heads that are prone to cracking due to thermal stress from the engine's operating temperature and inadequate cooling system maintenance. Affects XJS-Early, XJS-Late; typical independent garage repair cost is £2,000–£4,000.
Wheel bearing failure Major
MOT data shows the XJS fails at 71.4x the fleet average for wheel bearings with excessive play. Affects XJS-Early, XJS-Late; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Jaguar Xjs common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Jaguar Xjs
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Jaguar Xjs:
Suspension — check for wheel bearings worn. Steering — check for power steering fault, steering rack wear. Exhaust & Emissions — check for fluid leak, emissions failure.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion around suspension mounting points and power steering system failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £2,000. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Jaguar Xjs?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Jaguar Xjs MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Jaguar Xjs?
Based on 41,525 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is wheel bearings worn — at 57x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include power steering fault and fluid leak.
Is the Jaguar Xjs reliable based on MOT data?
The Jaguar Xjs has 17 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag structural corrosion around suspension mounting points as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Jaguar Xjs most commonly fails on steering rack wear and emissions failure. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are power steering fault and emissions failure.
How do I check a Jaguar Xjs's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.