1992 Jaguar XJ — MOT failures & pass rate
646 MOT tests on the 1992 Jaguar XJ are in this dataset, and 81.0% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail at 19.9%, so the 1992 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 (7.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are washers, component mounting prescribed areas and horn — washers alone was recorded 33 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.5% in the 0-30k band and 15.0% in the 150k+ band, a 4.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 21.7% in 2021 to 17.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.4% | 61 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.6% | 49 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.7% | 43 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.3% | 41 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 30 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.6% | 23 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 33 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 27 |
| 3 | Horn | 24 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 21 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 20 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 19 |
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 | 38.9% | 251 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.1% | 117 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 13.3% | 86 |
| 4 | Tyres | 12.8% | 83 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.5% | 81 |
| 6 | Steering | 11.3% | 73 |
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 | 57 | 10.5% |
| 30-60k | 106 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 142 | 16.9% |
| 90-120k | 194 | 22.7% |
| 120-150k | 87 | 23.0% |
| 150k+ | 60 | 15.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 161 | 21.7% |
| 2022 | 153 | 18.3% |
| 2023 | 119 | 17.6% |
| 2024 | 117 | 18.8% |
| 2025 | 96 | 17.7% |
What to check before buying a 1992 XJ
On a 1992 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 (7.6% 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 (6.7% 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 1992 Jaguar XJs pass their MOT?
81.0% of the 646 1992 Jaguar XJ MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Jaguar XJ?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.4% of tests, followed by brakes (7.6%).
Does the 1992 XJ get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.5% in the 0-30k band to 15.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 646 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.