2008 Jaguar Xj — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,311 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Jaguar Xj, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 82.2% was above the average for cars of a similar age (75.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 21.8% in the 150k+ group versus 2.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.4% | 395 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.3% | 386 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.7% | 301 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.1% | 220 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.0% | 214 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.1% | 110 |
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 | 253 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 217 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 158 |
| 4 | Washers | 156 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 147 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 136 |
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 | 26.0% | 1,382 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.4% | 1,242 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.7% | 1,100 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 483 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.9% | 259 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 257 |
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 | 110 | 2.7% |
| 30-60k | 826 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,517 | 16.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,432 | 18.9% |
| 120-150k | 891 | 21.9% |
| 150k+ | 533 | 21.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,016 | 18.4% |
| Petrol | 1,295 | 16.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,112 | 17.6% |
| 2022 | 1,053 | 14.7% |
| 2023 | 1,096 | 18.2% |
| 2024 | 1,030 | 19.2% |
| 2025 | 1,020 | 19.6% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Xj
Before buying a 2008 Jaguar Xj, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 7.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (7.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.3% 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 (5.7% 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 2008 Jaguar Xjs pass their MOT?
82.2% of the 5,311 2008 Jaguar Xj MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Jaguar Xj?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.4% of tests, followed by suspension (7.3%).
Does the 2008 Xj get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.7% in the 0-30k band to 21.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,311 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.