Jaguar XJS

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 7 model years from 5,575 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

84%

Total Tests

5,575

Highest Pass Rate

1995 (89%)

Years Covered

About the Jaguar XJS

The Jaguar XJS was MOT tested 5,575 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 7 model years (1990 to 1996), with an average pass rate of 84%. That's slightly above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1995 model has the highest pass rate at 89% from 945 tests. The 1992 model has the lowest at 78%. The 11 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer Jaguar XJSs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 4 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 80,247 miles, while the newest (1996) averages 88,555 miles.

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

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3980cc)

£1,961

Road Tax

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,741

Per month£228/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.88p petrol and 199.52p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 5 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 1996 details

How reliable is the Jaguar XJS?

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

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

Best to worst year spread11 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Jaguar XJS by Year

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

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1996	85%	587	88,555 mi
1995	89%	945	83,454 mi
1994	85%	830	92,143 mi
1993	84%	925	93,514 mi
1992	78%	618	89,147 mi
1991	85%	659	82,709 mi
1990	82%	1,011	80,247 mi

Questions about the Jaguar XJS

Is the Jaguar XJS reliable?

Across its 7 model years in our data (1990 to 1996), the Jaguar XJS averages an 84% MOT pass rate, from 5,575 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 1995 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 89%.

Which year Jaguar XJS has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1995 Jaguar XJS has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%, while the 1992 model has the lowest at 78%, a 11 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.