CarCostCheck

JAGUAR XJ (2005)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 2,105 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

80%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

3555cc Petrol

Solid Option

80% pass rate, £2757/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol3555cc21 years old2,105 tests106k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3555cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 3555cc

£760
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,757
Per month£230/mo
Per week£53/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

80% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the JAGUAR brand average of 88%.

At 21 years old, 80% of JAGUAR XJs from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 2,105 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 106,159 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 cars140th of 526(top 27%)
Rank among JAGUAR models244th of 299(top 82%)
vs national average-2%(82% avg)
vs 2005 cars average+8%(72% avg)
vs JAGUAR average-8%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

106,159

Average miles

vs

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2005 JAGUAR XJ has 106,159 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2019 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 77%. The 2005 sits between the two at 80%.

JAGUAR XJ by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202092%41132,227 mi
201994%1,02335,571 mi
201893%1,68244,709 mi
201793%2,14354,518 mi
201691%2,81164,986 mi
201591%2,31667,462 mi
201489%2,51181,854 mi
201387%2,75893,880 mi
201289%2,48293,337 mi
201184%4,043100,648 mi
201084%3,442107,407 mi
200985%1,33297,971 mi
200882%2,030101,627 mi
200782%2,721103,444 mi
200682%2,874103,550 mi
200580%2,105106,159 mi
200478%3,267108,216 mi
200381%3,134110,063 mi
200277%95592,681 mi
200179%97291,862 mi
200078%88890,401 mi
199977%1,29891,922 mi
199877%2,15492,573 mi
199780%2,029105,434 mi
199682%1,861104,724 mi
199579%1,401101,040 mi
199486%63587,486 mi
199382%40188,629 mi
199282%32889,641 mi
199182%24395,193 mi
199086%28283,101 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2005 JAGUAR XJ

The 2005 JAGUAR XJ is a premium performance with a 3555cc petrol engine. 2,105 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2005, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 106,159 miles at 21 years old, JAGUAR XJ owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2005 JAGUAR XJ Fuel Costs

The 3555cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2005 JAGUAR XJ?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 80% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

JAGUAR XJ Reliability Trend

Newer JAGUAR XJs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 7 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2005 JAGUAR XJ

At 21 years old, the JAGUAR XJ is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2005 JAGUAR XJ's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 21 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 106k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2005 JAGUAR XJ stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
JAGUAR XJ(2005)80%£1592£760Grp 35-50£2757
LAND ROVER FREELANDER(2007)75%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£360
MERCEDES E(2004)78%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£360
PORSCHE BOXSTER(2005)86%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510
PORSCHE 911(2006)90%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2097-£660

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Jaguar Models

Explore other Jaguar cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Jaguar Xj.

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