1998 Jaguar Xjr — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,308 MOT tests, the 1998 Jaguar Xjr recorded a 79.7% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 25.6% of the time, so this is 5.3pp 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 (10.5%) and lighting & signalling (9.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, integral vehicle structure condition and catalyst emissions — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 96 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1998 Xjr fails 22.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 25.7% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.1 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.5% | 137 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 127 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.0% | 92 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 79 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 52 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 45 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 96 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 63 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 56 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 50 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 36 |
| 6 | Wheel bearings | 35 |
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 | 35.5% | 465 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.2% | 303 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.7% | 219 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.5% | 216 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.8% | 89 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.7% | 87 |
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 | 31 | 22.6% |
| 30-60k | 147 | 11.6% |
| 60-90k | 257 | 16.7% |
| 90-120k | 425 | 20.0% |
| 120-150k | 294 | 24.5% |
| 150k+ | 152 | 25.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 300 | 21.3% |
| 2022 | 290 | 19.3% |
| 2023 | 262 | 21.0% |
| 2024 | 247 | 19.4% |
| 2025 | 209 | 20.1% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Xjr
On a 1998 Xjr, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (10.5% 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 (9.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.0% 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 1998 Jaguar Xjrs pass their MOT?
79.7% of the 1,308 1998 Jaguar Xjr MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Jaguar Xjr?
Suspension, recorded in 10.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.7%).
Does the 1998 Xjr get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.6% in the 0-30k band to 25.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,308 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.