1997 Jaguar Xjr — MOT failures & pass rate
375 MOT tests on the 1997 Jaguar Xjr are in this dataset, and 81.6% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 25.0% of the time, so this is 6.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (6.7%) and lighting & signalling (6.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, integral vehicle structure condition and component mounting prescribed areas — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 28 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 23.3% versus 8.6%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 36.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.7% | 25 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.4% | 24 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.9% | 22 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 22 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.5% | 17 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.7% | 10 |
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 | 28 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 18 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 13 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 12 |
| 5 | Wheel bearings | 12 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 9 |
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 | 36.8% | 138 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.1% | 83 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.4% | 69 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.1% | 64 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.2% | 42 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.9% | 37 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 93 | 8.6% |
| 90-120k | 133 | 27.8% |
| 120-150k | 79 | 16.5% |
| 150k+ | 43 | 23.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 77 | 16.9% |
| 2022 | 77 | 23.4% |
| 2023 | 73 | 20.5% |
| 2024 | 73 | 15.1% |
| 2025 | 75 | 16.0% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Xjr
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 6.7% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (6.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.9% 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 1997 Jaguar Xjrs pass their MOT?
81.6% of the 375 1997 Jaguar Xjr MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Jaguar Xjr?
Suspension, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.4%).
Does the 1997 Xjr get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 60-90k band to 23.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 375 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.