CarCostCheck

JAGUAR XJ (2008)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 2,030 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

82%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4196cc Petrol

Solid Option

82% pass rate, £2757/year to run. Close to the national average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific JAGUAR XJ

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Petrol4196cc18 years old2,030 tests102k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4196cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 4196cc

£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.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this JAGUAR XJ

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

82% 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 18 years old, 82% of JAGUAR XJs from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 2,030 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 101,627 miles.

Got a JAGUAR XJ you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 cars164th of 589(top 28%)
Rank among JAGUAR models219th of 299(top 73%)
vs national average+0%(82% avg)
vs 2008 cars average+9%(73% avg)
vs JAGUAR average-6%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

101,627

Average miles

vs

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2008 JAGUAR XJ has 101,627 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific JAGUAR XJ?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

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 2008 sits between the two at 82%.

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

Check a Specific Jaguar Xj

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2008 JAGUAR XJ

The 2008 JAGUAR XJ is a premium performance with a 4196cc petrol engine. 2,030 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2008, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 101,627 miles at 18 years old, JAGUAR XJ owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2008 JAGUAR XJ Fuel Costs

The 4196cc 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 2008 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 82% 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 2008 JAGUAR XJ

At 18 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 2008 JAGUAR XJ's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 18 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 102k 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 2008 JAGUAR XJ stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
JAGUAR XJ(2008)82%£1592£760Grp 35-50£2757
JAGUAR XF(2008)78%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£360
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER(2006)80%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510
VOLVO XC90(2009)78%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£360
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.

Check a specific JAGUAR XJ

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a JAGUAR XJ? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB