Used car guide

1990 Jaguar XJ: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Jaguar XJ first registered in 1990: we looked at the 258 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 258 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

258MOTs of 1990 cars, done in 2023–2025
78%pass first time (all 1990 cars: 72%)
2,400typical miles a year
24%had suspension flagged

Common 1990 Jaguar XJ MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1990 Jaguar XJ MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    24% 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
    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.

  • Brakes
    19% 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
    16% 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
    12% 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
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1990 Jaguar XJ

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Jaguar XJ?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Jaguar XJ compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2020478Tyres 25%
20191,237Tyres 27%
20181,966Tyres 28%
20172,602Tyres 29%
20163,092Tyres 28%
20152,779Tyres 30%
20142,981Tyres 30%
20133,370Tyres 30%
20123,010Tyres 33%
20114,503Suspension 33%
20104,033Suspension 36%
20091,678Suspension 35%
20082,668Suspension 33%
20073,582Suspension 39%
20063,833Suspension 40%
20053,278Suspension 40%
20044,685Suspension 43%
20034,843Suspension 42%
20021,530Suspension 37%
20011,671Suspension 36%
20001,433Suspension 38%
19991,176Suspension 43%
19981,988Suspension 40%
19971,978Suspension 41%
19961,886Suspension 39%
19951,330Suspension 36%
1994637Suspension 25%
1993384Suspension 28%
1992284Suspension 34%
1991217Suspension 31%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1982–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests
1979–Too few tests
1978–Too few tests
1977–Too few tests
1976–Too few tests
1975–Too few tests
1974–Too few tests
1973–Too few tests
1972–Too few tests
1971–Too few tests
1970–Too few tests
1969–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Jaguar XJ cars first registered in 1990. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score