1991 Jaguar XJ — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 433 MOT tests, the 1991 Jaguar XJ recorded an 80.4% pass rate. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (19.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.4% of tests against 7.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are washers, component mounting prescribed areas and steering rack — washers alone was recorded 32 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 26.0% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 30.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 21.3% in 2021 to 13.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 45 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.4% | 32 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.2% | 31 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.5% | 24 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.9% | 17 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.9% | 17 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 32 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 22 |
| 3 | Steering rack | 15 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 13 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 11 |
| 6 | Horn | 10 |
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 | 30.0% | 130 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.1% | 74 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 12.2% | 53 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 51 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 42 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.8% | 38 |
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 | 32 | 12.5% |
| 30-60k | 57 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 109 | 21.1% |
| 90-120k | 116 | 21.6% |
| 120-150k | 62 | 17.7% |
| 150k+ | 50 | 26.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 94 | 21.3% |
| 2022 | 92 | 18.5% |
| 2023 | 90 | 22.2% |
| 2024 | 85 | 21.2% |
| 2025 | 72 | 13.9% |
What to check before buying a 1991 XJ
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.4% 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.
- Visibility (7.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 1991 Jaguar XJs pass their MOT?
80.4% of the 433 1991 Jaguar XJ MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Jaguar XJ?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.4% of tests, followed by brakes (7.4%).
Does the 1991 XJ get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.5% in the 0-30k band to 26.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 433 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.