Used car guide

2020 Jaguar XJ: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Jaguar XJs, from 166 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 166 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

166MOT tests in 2025
90%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
6,700typical miles a year
26%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2020 Jaguar XJ MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    26% 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
    10% 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
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    3% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Suspension
    2% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    1% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Jaguar XJ?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019416Tyres 31%
2018656Tyres 29%
2017855Tyres 26%
20161,027Tyres 28%
2015921Tyres 30%
2014979Tyres 31%
20131,102Suspension 32%
2012982Tyres 34%
20111,461Suspension 38%
20101,289Suspension 41%
2009530Suspension 44%
2008874Suspension 37%
20071,124Suspension 44%
20061,191Suspension 45%
20051,053Suspension 43%
20041,446Suspension 46%
20031,465Suspension 45%
2002441Suspension 37%
2001485Suspension 35%
2000415Suspension 36%
1999346Suspension 45%
1998575Suspension 43%
1997598Suspension 42%
1996565Suspension 37%
1995395Suspension 38%
1994200Suspension 26%
1993114Suspension 32%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2020 Jaguar XJs registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score