Used car guide

1995 Jaguar XJS: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1995 Jaguar XJSs, from 328 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 328 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

328MOT tests in 2025
83%pass first time (all 1995 cars: 67%)
2,900typical miles a year
21%had brakes flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 1995 Jaguar XJS MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    21% 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.

  • Suspension
    19% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    18% 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
    12% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% 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
    7% 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 XJS?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
1996198Suspension 19%
1994288Suspension 19%
1993292Lights and electrics 26%
1992221Suspension 24%
1991262Suspension 22%
1990342Lights and electrics 22%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1995 Jaguar XJSs registered in 1995. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score