1999 Jaguar Xjr — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1999 Jaguar Xjr passed 78.1% of its 694 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 26.1% of the time, so this is 4.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.2%) and brakes (8.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and chassis condition — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 70 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 24.2% versus 11.9%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.2% | 64 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.1% | 56 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.8% | 54 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 47 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.5% | 45 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 28 |
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 | 70 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 58 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 34 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 30 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 28 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 25 |
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 | 28.1% | 195 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.5% | 142 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 115 |
| 4 | Tyres | 16.0% | 111 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.3% | 44 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 41 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 67 | 11.9% |
| 60-90k | 162 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 250 | 22.0% |
| 120-150k | 126 | 26.2% |
| 150k+ | 66 | 24.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 168 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 147 | 23.1% |
| 2023 | 139 | 18.7% |
| 2024 | 119 | 17.6% |
| 2025 | 121 | 24.0% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Xjr
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 9.2% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (9.2% 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 (8.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (7.8% 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 1999 Jaguar Xjrs pass their MOT?
78.1% of the 694 1999 Jaguar Xjr MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Jaguar Xjr?
Suspension, recorded in 9.2% of tests, followed by brakes (8.1%).
Does the 1999 Xjr get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.9% in the 30-60k band to 24.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 694 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.