1996 Jaguar XJ MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 77.4% of Jaguar XJs first used in 1996 passed their MOT first time, against 66.8% for all cars first used in 1996. Across 2,069 XJ first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, lamps and electrical equipment and brakes.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Jaguar XJs first used in 1996 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
77.4%
of 615 first tests; all cars first used in 1996: 66.8%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
2,069
first tests, 2023–2025; 615 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
37.1%
of 615 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
98,500
middle half: 72,500–123,000 miles; all cars first used in 1996: 104,500

How the 1996 Jaguar XJ MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, XJs first used in 1996 against all cars first used in 1996 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the XJ figure was 10.6 points higher.

1996 XJAll cars first used in 1996
60%70%80%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 1996, test year 2021: 61.9%All cars first used in 1996, test year 2022: 63.9%All cars first used in 1996, test year 2023: 65.3%All cars first used in 1996, test year 2024: 65.9%All cars first used in 1996, test year 2025: 66.8%1996 XJ, test year 2021: 69.9%1996 XJ, test year 2022: 71.9%1996 XJ, test year 2023: 74.3%1996 XJ, test year 2024: 76%1996 XJ, test year 2025: 77.4%77.4%66.8%
View this chart as a table
Test year1996 XJAll cars first used 1996XJ first tests
202169.9%61.9%980
202271.9%63.9%882
202374.3%65.3%778
202476.0%65.9%676
202577.4%66.8%615

Common 1996 Jaguar XJ MOT failures

Share of the 501 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Suspension33.5%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment32.3%
Brakes26.5%
Body, chassis, structure25.3%
Noise, emissions and leaks24.4%
Visibility17.4%
Tyres9.6%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems9.0%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits15.0%75

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 1996 Jaguar XJ before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  2. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  3. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.

Common 1996 Jaguar XJ MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 1996 XJs, as a share of all 2,069 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Wheel bearings: has slight play15.9%328
Coil spring: corroded15.8%326
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive11.4%236
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing10.4%216
Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases7.4%154

Questions about the 1996 Jaguar XJ MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 1996 Jaguar XJ?

In 2025, 77.4% of XJs first used in 1996 passed their MOT first time, against 66.8% for all cars first used in 1996. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 1996 XJ most often fail its MOT on?

Suspension (in 33.5% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (32.3%) and brakes (26.5%). The single most common item was “Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits” (15.0%).

How often does a 1996 Jaguar XJ fail its MOT?

In 2025, 22.6% of first tests on XJs first used in 1996 did not pass first time: 18.9% failed, and a further 3.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 501 of 2,069 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 1996 Jaguar XJ MOT advisories?

“Wheel bearings: has slight play” (on 15.9% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Coil spring: corroded” (15.8%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (11.4%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (10.4%) and “Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases” (7.4%).

Is a 1996 Jaguar XJ reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 69.9% in 2021 to 77.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 1996

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

1996 Land Rover Defender MOT statistics · 1996 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 1996 Mazda MX-5 MOT statistics · 1996 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics · 1996 Porsche 911 MOT statistics

How the 1996 Jaguar XJ MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “1996 XJ” means a Jaguar XJ whose date of first use falls in 1996 (N and P plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 1996, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.