2003 Jaguar XJ MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 71.4% of Jaguar XJs first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. Across 5,556 XJ first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, brakes and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Jaguar XJs first used in 2003 (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
How the 2003 Jaguar XJ MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, XJs first used in 2003 against all cars first used in 2003 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the XJ figure was 12.7 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2003 XJ | All cars first used 2003 | XJ first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 69.4% | 54.0% | 2,229 |
| 2022 | 72.0% | 55.7% | 2,130 |
| 2023 | 71.0% | 56.7% | 2,012 |
| 2024 | 69.9% | 57.2% | 1,849 |
| 2025 | 71.4% | 58.7% | 1,695 |
Common 2003 Jaguar XJ MOT failures
Share of the 1,626 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%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Ball joint dust cover: no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 13.0% | 211 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 12.9% | 210 |
| Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 10.7% | 174 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 9.3% | 152 |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 8.4% | 137 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an XJ in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension arm replacement | £150 | £120–£180 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2003 Jaguar XJ before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- 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.
- 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 2003 Jaguar XJ MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2003 XJs, as a share of all 5,556 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 15.4% | 854 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 10.9% | 603 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | 10.0% | 554 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 9.8% | 544 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 9.7% | 539 |
Questions about the 2003 Jaguar XJ MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2003 Jaguar XJ?
In 2025, 71.4% of XJs first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2003 XJ most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 40.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (33.3%) and lamps and electrical equipment (32.3%). The single most common item was “Ball joint dust cover: no longer prevents the ingress of dirt” (13.0%).
How often does a 2003 Jaguar XJ fail its MOT?
In 2025, 28.6% of first tests on XJs first used in 2003 did not pass first time: 25.1% failed, and a further 3.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,626 of 5,556 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2003 Jaguar XJ MOT advisories?
“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 15.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (10.9%), “Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened” (10.0%), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (9.8%) and “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (9.7%).
Is a 2003 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 69.4% in 2021 to 71.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2003
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2003 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2003 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2003 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2003 XJ?
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