1993 Jaguar Xjs — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1993 Jaguar Xjs passed 80.8% of its 1,790 recorded MOT tests. That is 4.2 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 23.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.0%) and brakes (8.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, catalyst emissions and rbt (sp) — service brake performance alone was recorded 97 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.3% in the 0-30k band and 31.8% in the 150k+ band, a 17.5-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 28.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 22.3% in 2021 to 19.2% 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% | 162 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.4% | 151 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.4% | 97 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.3% | 94 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 88 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.4% | 60 |
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 | 97 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 94 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 78 |
| 4 | Washers | 70 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 65 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 56 |
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% | 516 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 13.6% | 243 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.0% | 232 |
| 4 | Tyres | 12.3% | 221 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.4% | 133 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 123 |
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 | 49 | 14.3% |
| 30-60k | 275 | 13.5% |
| 60-90k | 488 | 17.0% |
| 90-120k | 569 | 19.2% |
| 120-150k | 321 | 24.6% |
| 150k+ | 88 | 31.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 390 | 22.3% |
| 2022 | 376 | 18.4% |
| 2023 | 361 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 335 | 16.4% |
| 2025 | 328 | 19.2% |
What to check before buying a 1993 Xjs
On a 1993 Xjs, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 (8.4% 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 (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 1993 Jaguar Xjss pass their MOT?
80.8% of the 1,790 1993 Jaguar Xjs MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1993 Jaguar Xjs?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.0% of tests, followed by brakes (8.4%).
Does the 1993 Xjs get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.3% in the 0-30k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,790 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.