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Jaguar XJS reliability by build year

Coverage 1975-19963 named generationsCoupePETROL
At a glance

Jaguar XJS built before 2000: about average at the MOT

Jaguar XJSes built before 2000 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Jaguar XJS by number plate

Key figure

18% of MOT tests on Jaguar XJSes built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 19% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Jaguar XJSes built before 2000 involves fluid leaks.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Jaguar XJS's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Axles & Wheels

Worth checking

Inspect the axles & wheels carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your XJS's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

XJS Series 2 (facelift)

Series 2 (facelift) (1981-1990)

Excellent
PETROL

18.0% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 3,539 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Jaguar XJS.

See every build year for the Jaguar XJS

By age

Jaguar XJS fail rate by age

This chart combines every Jaguar XJS ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
3,53918.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Jaguar XJSes

These issues come from 25+ year old Jaguar XJSes, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    18.6%
    Advisory: 781Fail: 13 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Wheel bearing has slight play

    10.1%
    Advisory: 555Fail: 11 (2% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    8.4%
    Advisory: 475Fail: 48 (9% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    8.1%
    Advisory: 545Fail: 14 (3% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.6%
    Advisory: 380Fail: 43 (10% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,539 MOT tests on 25+ year old Jaguar XJSes, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Jaguar XJSes notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension23%
  2. Other + Suspension22%
  3. Fuel & oil + Suspension22%
  4. Brakes + Other20%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 1,308 MOT tests on Jaguar XJS cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Jaguar XJS.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

1 recall in all

1 Jaguar XJS recall covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Leakage from power steering hose

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 13.1%, against 18.0% for the Jaguar XJS, both built before 2000.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,428 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    MG B GT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.4%

    Lower fail rate: 15.4%, against 18.0% for the Jaguar XJS, both built before 2000.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,331 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Mercedes-Benz CLK

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.8%

    No clear edge over the Jaguar XJS on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,725 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    No clear edge over the Jaguar XJS on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,275 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Jaguar XJS across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 3,539 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Jaguar XJS ever sold: 3,539 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 3,539 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.