Used car guide · 1969–2026

Jaguar XJ common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Jaguar XJ, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 69,418 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1981 Jaguar XJ

Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Jaguar XJ as a whole.

140on the UK register at the end of 2025
ProbablyMOT-exempt (40+ years old), unless substantially changed
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 1981 car
  • Rust and structure

    Look underneath at the sills, floor, chassis rails and jacking points. Rust in the structure costs far more to fix than paint bubbles.

  • MOT-exempt isn’t roadworthy

    Cars over 40 don’t need an MOT, but they must still be safe. A voluntary MOT or a specialist inspection is worth the money.

  • Paperwork

    Old MOT certificates, bills and restoration photos show how it has been looked after. Check the logbook matches the car’s VIN and engine number.

  • Originality

    Changes from standard affect value and insurance. Ask what has been replaced or modified.

  • Insurance

    Classic insurance is often cheaper but may limit mileage and use. Get a quote before you buy.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969

What usually goes wrong with a Jaguar XJ?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Jaguar XJ in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Jaguar XJ MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011.

    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.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1995, 1996, 2003, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    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.

  • Corroded fuel pipes

    up to 5.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2002.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Rust around sub-frame mountings

    up to 5.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2010.

    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.

  • Coil springs

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2009.

    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.

Jaguar XJ MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2008 Jaguar XJ did best (74% passed first time, 17 points above all 2008 cars) and the 2019 did worst (90%, 5 points above all 2019 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202092%87% +5478 (small sample)
201990%85% +51,239
201889%83% +61,970
201787%80% +72,602
201685%77% +83,092
201584%74% +102,779
201480%70% +102,981
201378%67% +113,370
201279%64% +153,010
201176%62% +144,503
201076%60% +164,033
200974%59% +151,678
200874%57% +172,668
200771%57% +143,582
200671%56% +153,833
200571%57% +143,278
200468%57% +114,691
200370%57% +134,844
200270%58% +121,530
200172%60% +121,672
200071%61% +101,434
199968%63% +51,176
199870%65% +51,988
199772%65% +71,983
199675%66% +91,886
199574%67% +71,330
199479%67% +12637
199378%68% +10384 (small sample)
199277%69% +8289 (small sample)
199174%71% +3217 (small sample)
199078%72% +6261 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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 3.6× as often on the Jaguar XJ as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the Jaguar XJ as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 5.1× as often on the 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score