1992 Jaguar Xjs — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,374 MOT tests, the 1992 Jaguar Xjs recorded a 77.6% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (22.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.8%) and brakes (11.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, service brake performance and rbt (sp) — headlamp alone was recorded 97 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.9% in the 30-60k band and 21.4% in the 150k+ band, a 5.6-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 21.5% in 2021 to 18.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 162 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.5% | 158 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.8% | 94 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.7% | 78 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.6% | 49 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 43 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 97 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 96 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 95 |
| 4 | Washers | 52 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 47 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 47 |
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 | 28.8% | 396 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.3% | 196 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 14.0% | 192 |
| 4 | Tyres | 12.3% | 169 |
| 5 | Steering | 10.0% | 138 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 83 |
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 | 189 | 15.9% |
| 60-90k | 523 | 22.6% |
| 90-120k | 349 | 22.1% |
| 120-150k | 228 | 29.8% |
| 150k+ | 56 | 21.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 279 | 21.5% |
| 2022 | 313 | 26.2% |
| 2023 | 285 | 23.2% |
| 2024 | 244 | 21.7% |
| 2025 | 253 | 18.6% |
What to check before buying a 1992 Xjs
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.5% 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.
- Suspension (6.8% 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 1992 Jaguar Xjss pass their MOT?
77.6% of the 1,374 1992 Jaguar Xjs MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Jaguar Xjs?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.8% of tests, followed by brakes (11.5%).
Does the 1992 Xjs get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.9% in the 30-60k band to 21.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,374 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.