1993 Jaguar XJ — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1993 Jaguar XJ passed 80.0% of its 851 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (20.5% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.8%) and suspension (8.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and prescribed areas — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 52 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.3% in the 0-30k band and 24.4% in the 150k+ band, a 11.1-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 24.8% in 2021 to 17.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 75 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.1% | 69 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.6% | 56 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.6% | 48 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 47 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 40 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 52 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 39 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 35 |
| 4 | Washers | 34 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 27 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 26 |
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 | 33.1% | 282 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.3% | 156 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.4% | 140 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.7% | 125 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 83 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.1% | 69 |
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 | 45 | 13.3% |
| 30-60k | 86 | 15.1% |
| 60-90k | 265 | 18.1% |
| 90-120k | 265 | 21.1% |
| 120-150k | 105 | 23.8% |
| 150k+ | 82 | 24.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 222 | 24.8% |
| 2022 | 194 | 19.1% |
| 2023 | 164 | 18.3% |
| 2024 | 146 | 17.8% |
| 2025 | 125 | 17.6% |
What to check before buying a 1993 XJ
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.1% 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.
- Brakes (6.6% 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.
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 1993 Jaguar XJs pass their MOT?
80.0% of the 851 1993 Jaguar XJ MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1993 Jaguar XJ?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.8% of tests, followed by suspension (8.1%).
Does the 1993 XJ get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.3% in the 0-30k band to 24.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 851 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.