Used car guide

2004 Jaguar XJ: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Jaguar XJ first registered in 2004: we looked at the 1,446 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,446MOTs of 2004 cars, done in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
5,000typical miles a year
3.7×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Jaguar XJ?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Jaguar XJ than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Ball joint dust cover3.7× usual
    Jaguar XJ
    17.8% All 2004 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 1.8% of all 2004 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.

  • Track rod ends2.2× usual
    Jaguar XJ
    14.2% All 2004 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.9% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Sub-frame2.2× usual
    Jaguar XJ
    13.6% All 2004 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.3% of all 2004 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

Number plates: 2.1% here, against 6.5% of all 2004 cars.

Common 2004 Jaguar XJ MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Jaguar XJ MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% 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
    34% 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
    23% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    22% 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
    15% 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 2004 Jaguar XJ

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

  1. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2004 Jaguar XJ as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2004 Jaguar XJ as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2004 Jaguar XJ as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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
2020166Tyres 26%
2019416Tyres 31%
2018656Tyres 29%
2017855Tyres 26%
20161,027Tyres 28%
2015921Tyres 30%
2014979Tyres 31%
20131,102Suspension 32%
2012982Suspension 34%
20111,461Suspension 38%
20101,289Suspension 41%
2009530Suspension 44%
2008874Suspension 37%
20071,124Suspension 44%
20061,191Suspension 45%
20051,053Suspension 43%
20031,465Suspension 45%
2002441Suspension 37%
2001485Suspension 35%
2000415Suspension 36%
1999346Suspension 45%
1998575Suspension 43%
1997598Suspension 42%
1996565Suspension 37%
1995395Suspension 38%
1994200Suspension 26%
1993114Suspension 32%
1992–Too few tests
1991–Too few tests
1990–Too few tests
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 2025, counting the MOTs of Jaguar XJ cars first registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score