2003 Jaguar XJ — MOT failures & pass rate
10,435 MOT tests on the 2003 Jaguar XJ are in this dataset, and 78.8% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 24.4% of the time, so this is 3.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (10.2%) and brakes (8.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint dust cover, track rod end and rigid brake pipes — ball joint dust cover alone was recorded 1,117 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.9% versus 14.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 32.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.2% | 1,062 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.3% | 869 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 850 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.6% | 483 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 415 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.7% | 388 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint dust cover | 1,117 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 551 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 470 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 441 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 383 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 321 |
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 | 32.8% | 3,417 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.1% | 3,240 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.1% | 2,096 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.7% | 1,329 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 894 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.3% | 653 |
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 | 169 | 14.2% |
| 30-60k | 875 | 15.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,192 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 3,202 | 21.4% |
| 120-150k | 2,427 | 22.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,550 | 23.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,409 | 21.9% |
| 2022 | 2,215 | 20.4% |
| 2023 | 2,124 | 21.3% |
| 2024 | 1,934 | 20.9% |
| 2025 | 1,753 | 21.3% |
What to check before buying a 2003 XJ
On a 2003 XJ, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (10.2% 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 (8.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (8.2% 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 2003 Jaguar XJs pass their MOT?
78.8% of the 10,435 2003 Jaguar XJ MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Jaguar XJ?
Suspension, recorded in 10.2% of tests, followed by brakes (8.3%).
Does the 2003 XJ get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.2% in the 0-30k band to 23.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,435 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.