1995 Jaguar Xjs — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1995 Jaguar Xjs passed 85.5% of its 1,883 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 24.2% of the time, so this is 9.8pp 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 (6.1%) and brakes (5.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp and rbt (sp) — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 120 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.5% in the 0-30k band and 23.1% in the 150k+ band, a 15.6-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 21.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 17.8% in 2021 to 14.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.1% | 115 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.8% | 110 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.9% | 74 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 67 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.2% | 60 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.7% | 32 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 120 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 58 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 52 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 44 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 43 |
| 6 | Washers | 41 |
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 | 21.4% | 403 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.7% | 277 |
| 3 | Tyres | 10.5% | 197 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.2% | 174 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 131 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.2% | 61 |
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 | 80 | 7.5% |
| 30-60k | 382 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 552 | 14.7% |
| 90-120k | 422 | 15.2% |
| 120-150k | 326 | 16.3% |
| 150k+ | 121 | 23.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 409 | 17.8% |
| 2022 | 390 | 13.9% |
| 2023 | 378 | 14.0% |
| 2024 | 353 | 11.9% |
| 2025 | 353 | 14.2% |
What to check before buying a 1995 Xjs
On a 1995 Xjs, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.8% 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 (3.9% 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 1995 Jaguar Xjss pass their MOT?
85.5% of the 1,883 1995 Jaguar Xjs MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1995 Jaguar Xjs?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by brakes (5.8%).
Does the 1995 Xjs get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.5% in the 0-30k band to 23.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,883 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.