2002 Jaguar XJ MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 71.9% of Jaguar XJs first used in 2002 passed their MOT first time, against 59.5% for all cars first used in 2002. Across 1,741 XJ first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, noise, emissions and leaks and lamps and electrical equipment.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Jaguar XJs first used in 2002 (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
71.9%
of 501 first tests; all cars first used in 2002: 59.5%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
1,741
first tests, 2023–2025; 501 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
35.3%
of 501 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
88,000
middle half: 68,000–117,500 miles; all cars first used in 2002: 102,000

How the 2002 Jaguar XJ MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, XJs first used in 2002 against all cars first used in 2002 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the XJ figure was 12.4 points higher.

2002 XJAll cars first used in 2002
50%60%70%80%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2002, test year 2021: 54.4%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2022: 56.2%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2023: 57.5%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2024: 58%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2025: 59.5%2002 XJ, test year 2021: 68.7%2002 XJ, test year 2022: 70.7%2002 XJ, test year 2023: 68.8%2002 XJ, test year 2024: 70.8%2002 XJ, test year 2025: 71.9%71.9%59.5%
View this chart as a table
Test year2002 XJAll cars first used 2002XJ first tests
202168.7%54.4%803
202270.7%56.2%717
202368.8%57.5%672
202470.8%58.0%568
202571.9%59.5%501

Common 2002 Jaguar XJ MOT failures

Share of the 517 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%.

Suspension35.4%
Noise, emissions and leaks29.2%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment29.0%
Body, chassis, structure28.6%
Brakes23.4%
Visibility20.7%
Tyres14.1%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems9.3%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength15.7%81
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction14.5%75

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

What to check on a 2002 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. Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.
  3. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.

Common 2002 Jaguar XJ MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2002 XJs, as a share of all 1,741 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material12.2%213
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.2%178
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive8.3%144
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.5%130
Coil spring: corroded6.6%115

Questions about the 2002 Jaguar XJ MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2002 Jaguar XJ?

In 2025, 71.9% of XJs first used in 2002 passed their MOT first time, against 59.5% for all cars first used in 2002. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2002 XJ most often fail its MOT on?

Suspension (in 35.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), noise, emissions and leaks (29.2%) and lamps and electrical equipment (29.0%). The single most common item was “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength” (15.7%).

How often does a 2002 Jaguar XJ fail its MOT?

In 2025, 28.1% of first tests on XJs first used in 2002 did not pass first time: 23.0% failed, and a further 5.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 517 of 1,741 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2002 Jaguar XJ MOT advisories?

“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 12.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (10.2%), “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive” (8.3%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (7.5%) and “Coil spring: corroded” (6.6%).

Is a 2002 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 68.7% in 2021 to 71.9% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2002

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

2002 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2002 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2002 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2002 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2002 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics

How the 2002 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. “2002 XJ” means a Jaguar XJ whose date of first use falls in 2002 (51, 02 and 52 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 2002, 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.