1991 Jaguar Xjs — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,444 MOT tests, the 1991 Jaguar Xjs recorded an 82.0% pass rate. That is 4.3 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 22.3%. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (9.9%) and lighting & signalling (9.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), service brake performance and headlamp aim — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 80 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.4% versus 4.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 25.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 9.9% | 143 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.2% | 133 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.1% | 73 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.0% | 72 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 55 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 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 | Rbt (sp) | 80 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 70 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 60 |
| 4 | Washers | 53 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 38 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 33 |
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 | 25.6% | 370 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 17.0% | 245 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.7% | 183 |
| 4 | Tyres | 11.1% | 160 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 113 |
| 6 | Steering | 7.7% | 111 |
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 | 82 | 4.9% |
| 30-60k | 327 | 14.4% |
| 60-90k | 428 | 16.1% |
| 90-120k | 409 | 20.8% |
| 120-150k | 141 | 26.2% |
| 150k+ | 56 | 30.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 303 | 20.5% |
| 2022 | 316 | 19.3% |
| 2023 | 286 | 16.8% |
| 2024 | 256 | 13.7% |
| 2025 | 283 | 19.1% |
What to check before buying a 1991 Xjs
On a 1991 Xjs, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (9.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (9.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.1% 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 1991 Jaguar Xjss pass their MOT?
82.0% of the 1,444 1991 Jaguar Xjs MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Jaguar Xjs?
Brakes, recorded in 9.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.2%).
Does the 1991 Xjs get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.9% in the 0-30k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,444 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.