1989 Jaguar XJ — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 489 MOT tests, the 1989 Jaguar XJ recorded an 82.0% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail at 17.7%, so the 1989 XJ sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.4%) and brakes (8.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, rbt (sp) and wipers — service brake performance alone was recorded 34 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1989 XJ fails 20.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 16.7% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.3 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 27.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 15.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.4% | 46 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.6% | 42 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.1% | 30 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.9% | 24 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 20 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 14 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 34 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 17 |
| 3 | Wipers | 15 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 14 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 14 |
| 6 | Side repeaters | 13 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 27.8% | 136 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 14.7% | 72 |
| 3 | Tyres | 11.5% | 56 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.4% | 51 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.2% | 45 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.8% | 43 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 30 | 20.0% |
| 30-60k | 88 | 11.4% |
| 60-90k | 124 | 15.3% |
| 90-120k | 142 | 23.9% |
| 120-150k | 51 | 15.7% |
| 150k+ | 48 | 16.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 113 | 15.9% |
| 2022 | 99 | 19.2% |
| 2023 | 102 | 20.6% |
| 2024 | 79 | 16.5% |
| 2025 | 96 | 17.7% |
What to check before buying a 1989 XJ
On a 1989 XJ, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (6.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1989 Jaguar XJs pass their MOT?
82.0% of the 489 1989 Jaguar XJ MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1989 Jaguar XJ?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.4% of tests, followed by brakes (8.6%).
Does the 1989 XJ get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 0-30k band to 16.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 489 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.