Used car guide

2011 Jaguar XJ: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Jaguar XJs, from 1,461 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,461MOT tests in 2025
75%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
7,300typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Jaguar XJs than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Sub-frame2.4× usual
    Jaguar XJ
    14.2% All 2011 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.3% of all 2011 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.4× usual
    Jaguar XJ
    7.3% All 2011 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.3% of all 2011 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-frame bushes5.3× usual
    Jaguar XJ
    2.1% All 2011 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2011 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.

Better than most

Coil springs: 2.1% here, against 10.3% of all 2011 cars. Exhaust system: 1.6% here, against 6.4% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Jaguar XJ MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    38% 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.

  • Tyres
    31% 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.

  • Brakes
    20% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    14% 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
    6% 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
    5% 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%
20101,289Suspension 41%
2009530Suspension 44%
2008874Suspension 37%
20071,124Suspension 44%
20061,191Suspension 45%
20051,053Suspension 43%
20041,446Suspension 46%
20031,465Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Jaguar XJs registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score