1988 Jaguar Xjs — MOT failures & pass rate
1,480 MOT tests on the 1988 Jaguar Xjs are in this dataset, and 83.5% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (20.9% fail rate), the 1988 Xjs comes out 4.4pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.1%) and brakes (7.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and rbt (sp) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 74 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 16.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 24.0% once past 120-150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 21.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 19.9% in 2021 to 13.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 135 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.2% | 106 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.9% | 73 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 53 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 35 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.1% | 31 |
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 | 74 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 70 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 61 |
| 4 | Horn | 37 |
| 5 | Washers | 36 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 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 | 21.8% | 323 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 19.3% | 286 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.3% | 153 |
| 4 | Tyres | 9.7% | 144 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 142 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.4% | 124 |
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 | 116 | 16.4% |
| 30-60k | 453 | 11.9% |
| 60-90k | 505 | 17.0% |
| 90-120k | 301 | 20.3% |
| 120-150k | 96 | 24.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 332 | 19.9% |
| 2022 | 321 | 16.5% |
| 2023 | 295 | 16.6% |
| 2024 | 260 | 15.4% |
| 2025 | 272 | 13.6% |
What to check before buying a 1988 Xjs
On a 1988 Xjs, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.2% 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.
- Suspension (4.9% 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.
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 1988 Jaguar Xjss pass their MOT?
83.5% of the 1,480 1988 Jaguar Xjs MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1988 Jaguar Xjs?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.1% of tests, followed by brakes (7.2%).
Does the 1988 Xjs get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 0-30k band to 24.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,480 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.