Used car guide

1998 Jaguar XJR: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1998 Jaguar XJRs, from 183 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 183 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

183MOT tests in 2025
74%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 66%)
3,800typical miles a year
37%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 1998 Jaguar XJR MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% 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
    24% 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
    23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    14% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    13% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    13% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Looking at a Jaguar XJR?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2007151Suspension 37%
2006124Suspension 34%
2004167Suspension 43%
2003231Suspension 38%
2001114Suspension 34%
2000112Suspension 28%
1999105Suspension 30%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1998 Jaguar XJRs registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score