2005 Jaguar Xjr — MOT failures & pass rate
530 MOT tests on the 2005 Jaguar Xjr are in this dataset, and 80.4% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2005 Xjr comes out 8.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.5%) and suspension (7.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint dust cover, rigid brake pipes and track rod end — ball joint dust cover alone was recorded 47 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 22.5% versus 7.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 25.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 15.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 45 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.7% | 41 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.5% | 40 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 31 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.0% | 21 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.6% | 19 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint dust cover | 47 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 34 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 26 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 23 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 17 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 15 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 25.5% | 135 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.3% | 129 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.1% | 101 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 48 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 32 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.3% | 28 |
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 | 38 | 7.9% |
| 60-90k | 165 | 18.8% |
| 90-120k | 155 | 23.2% |
| 120-150k | 89 | 20.2% |
| 150k+ | 71 | 22.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93 | 15.0% |
| 2022 | 108 | 18.5% |
| 2023 | 115 | 20.9% |
| 2024 | 107 | 19.6% |
| 2025 | 107 | 23.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Xjr
On a 2005 Xjr, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.7% 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.
- Brakes (7.5% 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 2005 Jaguar Xjrs pass their MOT?
80.4% of the 530 2005 Jaguar Xjr MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Jaguar Xjr?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.5% of tests, followed by suspension (7.7%).
Does the 2005 Xjr get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.9% in the 30-60k band to 22.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 530 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.