Jaguar XJ MOT Pass Rates and Running Costs by Year

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 31 model years from 56,532 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

84%

Total Tests

56,532

Highest Pass Rate

2019 (94%)

Years Covered

About the Jaguar XJ

The Jaguar XJ was MOT tested 56,532 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 31 model years (1990 to 2020), with an average pass rate of 84%. That's slightly above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list diesel and petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 94% from 1,023 tests. The 2002 model has the lowest at 77%. With a 17 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer Jaguar XJs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 7 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 83,101 miles, while the newest (2020) averages 32,227 miles.

Compared to the Jaguar brand average of 88%, the XJ is 4 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Jaguar models.

What the Jaguar XJ fails its MOT on most

Of 5,343 MOT tests on the Jaguar XJ that failed at the first attempt in 2025 (DVSA data), the share that failed on each area:

39%
Suspension
Same age: 37%
28%
Lights and electrics
Same age: 45%
23%
Brakes
Same age: 27%

Jaguar XJ reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2993cc)

£1,676

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,131

Per month£178/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2020 details

How reliable is the Jaguar XJ?

vs average of all models+2% (82% avg)

vs Jaguar brand average-4% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread17 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Jaguar XJ by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2020	92%	411	32,227 mi
2019	94%	1,023	35,571 mi
2018	93%	1,682	44,709 mi
2017	93%	2,143	54,518 mi
2016	91%	2,811	64,986 mi
2015	91%	2,316	67,462 mi
2014	89%	2,511	81,854 mi
2013	87%	2,758	93,880 mi
2012	89%	2,482	93,337 mi
2011	84%	4,043	100,648 mi
2010	84%	3,442	107,407 mi
2009	85%	1,332	97,971 mi
2008	82%	2,030	101,627 mi
2007	82%	2,721	103,444 mi
2006	82%	2,874	103,550 mi
2005	80%	2,105	106,159 mi
2004	78%	3,267	108,216 mi
2003	81%	3,134	110,063 mi
2002	77%	955	92,681 mi
2001	79%	972	91,862 mi
2000	78%	888	90,401 mi
1999	77%	1,298	91,922 mi
1998	77%	2,154	92,573 mi
1997	80%	2,029	105,434 mi
1996	82%	1,861	104,724 mi
1995	79%	1,401	101,040 mi
1994	86%	635	87,486 mi
1993	82%	401	88,629 mi
1992	82%	328	89,641 mi
1991	82%	243	95,193 mi
1990	86%	282	83,101 mi

Questions about the Jaguar XJ

Is the Jaguar XJ reliable?

Across its 31 model years in our data (1990 to 2020), the Jaguar XJ averages an 84% MOT pass rate, from 56,532 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 2 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2019 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 94%.

Which year Jaguar XJ has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 Jaguar XJ has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 77%, a 17 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.