2020 Jaguar XJ — MOT failures & pass rate
555 MOT tests on the 2020 Jaguar XJ are in this dataset, and 93.7% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (9.6% fail rate), the 2020 XJ comes out 3.3pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.4%) and lighting & signalling (2.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, brake pads and headlamp cleaning device — headlamp aim alone was recorded 6 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 XJ fails 4.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 4.3% at 60-90k, a spread of only 0.1 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 11.8% in 2021 to 6.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.4% | 19 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 13 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 6 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 6 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.9% | 5 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 6 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 5 |
| 3 | Headlamp cleaning device | 5 |
| 4 | Washers | 4 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 4 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 2 |
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 | 21.8% | 121 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.5% | 47 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.9% | 16 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.9% | 16 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.5% | 14 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 3 |
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 | 315 | 4.4% |
| 30-60k | 188 | 9.6% |
| 60-90k | 46 | 4.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 520 | 6.0% |
| Petrol | 35 | 11.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 34 | 11.8% |
| 2023 | 168 | 3.6% |
| 2024 | 168 | 7.7% |
| 2025 | 177 | 6.2% |
What to check before buying a 2020 XJ
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.4% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.4% 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 (2.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (1.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2020 Jaguar XJs pass their MOT?
93.7% of the 555 2020 Jaguar XJ MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Jaguar XJ?
Tyres, recorded in 3.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.3%).
Does the 2020 XJ get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.4% in the 0-30k band to 4.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 555 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.