2000 Jaguar XJ — MOT failures & pass rate
3,205 MOT tests on the 2000 Jaguar XJ are in this dataset, and 77.0% of them passed. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (23.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, emissions & environmental and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (10.9%) and emissions & environmental (8.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and chassis condition — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 385 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.8% versus 4.8%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 24.4% in 2021 to 19.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.9% | 351 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 8.2% | 263 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 225 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 217 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.0% | 193 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.4% | 141 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 385 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 306 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 154 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 153 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 99 |
| 6 | Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas | 94 |
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 | 34.0% | 1,091 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.5% | 689 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.8% | 602 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.7% | 503 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.4% | 335 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.1% | 293 |
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 | 42 | 4.8% |
| 30-60k | 526 | 15.4% |
| 60-90k | 980 | 19.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,009 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 444 | 27.0% |
| 150k+ | 201 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 847 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 733 | 24.0% |
| 2023 | 631 | 22.7% |
| 2024 | 522 | 23.0% |
| 2025 | 472 | 19.3% |
What to check before buying a 2000 XJ
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 10.9% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (10.9% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (8.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (7.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2000 Jaguar XJs pass their MOT?
77.0% of the 3,205 2000 Jaguar XJ MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Jaguar XJ?
Suspension, recorded in 10.9% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (8.2%).
Does the 2000 XJ get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.8% in the 0-30k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,205 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.