2014 Jaguar XJ — MOT failures & pass rate
5,905 MOT tests on the 2014 Jaguar XJ are in this dataset, and 85.1% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail at 15.5%, so the 2014 XJ sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (6.1%) and tyres (5.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, tread depth and pins and bushes — coil spring alone was recorded 243 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 21.3% once past 150k — 3.2× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 12.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.1% | 362 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.8% | 340 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 204 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.2% | 129 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.7% | 100 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.7% | 40 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 243 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 155 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 94 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 92 |
| 5 | Washers | 89 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 66 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 24.7% | 1,456 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.7% | 807 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.6% | 742 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.6% | 273 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 202 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 176 |
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 | 348 | 6.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,788 | 11.9% |
| 60-90k | 2,003 | 15.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,138 | 18.1% |
| 120-150k | 426 | 21.1% |
| 150k+ | 202 | 21.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,627 | 15.1% |
| Petrol | 278 | 11.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,185 | 12.6% |
| 2022 | 1,205 | 14.5% |
| 2023 | 1,196 | 15.8% |
| 2024 | 1,167 | 15.4% |
| 2025 | 1,152 | 16.4% |
What to check before buying a 2014 XJ
On a 2014 XJ, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (6.1% 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.
- Tyres (5.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (3.5% 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 2014 Jaguar XJs pass their MOT?
85.1% of the 5,905 2014 Jaguar XJ MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Jaguar XJ?
Suspension, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by tyres (5.8%).
Does the 2014 XJ get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.6% in the 0-30k band to 21.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,905 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.