1990 Jaguar Xjs — MOT failures & pass rate
1,986 MOT tests on the 1990 Jaguar Xjs are in this dataset, and 83.2% of them passed. That is 5.0 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 21.8%. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (9.2%) and lighting & signalling (8.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), headlamp aim and service brake performance — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 110 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.0% versus 14.4%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 24.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 19.7% in 2021 to 13.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 9.2% | 183 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 176 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.4% | 107 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.8% | 96 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.7% | 54 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 54 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 110 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 93 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 80 |
| 4 | Washers | 73 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 67 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 42 |
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 | 24.7% | 491 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 18.5% | 368 |
| 3 | Tyres | 12.9% | 256 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.7% | 212 |
| 5 | Steering | 9.1% | 180 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 160 |
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 | 187 | 14.4% |
| 30-60k | 499 | 13.8% |
| 60-90k | 658 | 14.9% |
| 90-120k | 404 | 22.0% |
| 120-150k | 180 | 20.6% |
| 150k+ | 56 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 426 | 19.7% |
| 2022 | 429 | 18.2% |
| 2023 | 390 | 16.4% |
| 2024 | 372 | 15.9% |
| 2025 | 369 | 13.3% |
What to check before buying a 1990 Xjs
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 9.2% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (9.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (8.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.4% 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 1990 Jaguar Xjss pass their MOT?
83.2% of the 1,986 1990 Jaguar Xjs MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1990 Jaguar Xjs?
Brakes, recorded in 9.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (8.9%).
Does the 1990 Xjs get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.4% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,986 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.