1989 Jaguar Xjs — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1989 Jaguar Xjs passed 82.2% of its 2,668 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 21.3% of the time, so this is 3.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.0%) and brakes (8.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, rbt (sp) and headlamp aim — service brake performance alone was recorded 137 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.8% in the 0-30k band and 14.7% in the 150k+ band, a 5.9-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 26.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 20.3% in 2021 to 16.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 240 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.9% | 237 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.8% | 129 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 97 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.1% | 83 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 74 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 137 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 117 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 117 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 64 |
| 5 | Washers | 61 |
| 6 | Horn | 60 |
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 | 26.1% | 695 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 21.7% | 580 |
| 3 | Tyres | 11.4% | 304 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.6% | 284 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.8% | 234 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.7% | 178 |
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 | 250 | 8.8% |
| 30-60k | 775 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 950 | 17.8% |
| 90-120k | 479 | 22.6% |
| 120-150k | 180 | 20.6% |
| 150k+ | 34 | 14.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 581 | 20.3% |
| 2022 | 576 | 18.6% |
| 2023 | 515 | 16.7% |
| 2024 | 493 | 16.2% |
| 2025 | 503 | 16.5% |
What to check before buying a 1989 Xjs
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.9% 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.
- Suspension (4.8% 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 1989 Jaguar Xjss pass their MOT?
82.2% of the 2,668 1989 Jaguar Xjs MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1989 Jaguar Xjs?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.0% of tests, followed by brakes (8.9%).
Does the 1989 Xjs get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.8% in the 0-30k band to 14.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,668 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.