Used car guide

2003 Jaguar XJ: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Jaguar XJs, from 1,465 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,465MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
5,000typical miles a year
3.7×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Jaguar XJs than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Ball joint dust cover3.7× usual
    Jaguar XJ
    17.6% All 2003 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 1.8% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Sub-frame2.4× usual
    Jaguar XJ
    13.2% All 2003 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Track rod ends2× usual
    Jaguar XJ
    12.8% All 2003 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 2.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Link ball joint covers2.4× usual
    Jaguar XJ
    5.8% All 2003 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Headlights: 5.6% here, against 12.1% of all 2003 cars. Number plates: 3.3% here, against 7.6% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Jaguar XJ MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    35% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    24% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    20% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    14% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Jaguar XJ?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2018656Tyres 29%
2017855Tyres 26%
20161,027Tyres 28%
2015921Tyres 30%
2014979Tyres 31%
20131,102Suspension 32%
2012982Suspension 34%
20111,461Suspension 38%
20101,289Suspension 41%
2009530Suspension 44%
2008874Suspension 37%
20071,124Suspension 44%
20061,191Suspension 45%
20051,053Suspension 43%
20041,446Suspension 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Jaguar XJs registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score