JAGUAR XJ Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 3,987 MOT tests from 265 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every JAGUAR XJ has the same fault.

JAGUAR XJ's have a very good reliability rating of 610/999. The score was calculated from the average of every JAGUAR XJ that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the JAGUAR XJ.

JAGUAR XJ (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	720/999Very good	113,990 miles	601 vehicles
N/A	N/A	713/999Very good	118,284 miles	531 vehicles
N/A	N/A	710/999Very good	96,708 miles	801 vehicles
N/A	N/A	709/999Very good	96,004 miles	805 vehicles
N/A	N/A	699/999Good	97,358 miles	764 vehicles
N/A	N/A	650/999Good	82,431 miles	825 vehicles
N/A	N/A	640/999Good	113,676 miles	645 vehicles
N/A	N/A	622/999Good	79,644 miles	911 vehicles
N/A	N/A	601/999Good	72,221 miles	921 vehicles
N/A	N/A	586/999Above average	71,196 miles	930 vehicles
N/A	N/A	570/999Above average	103,121 miles	2,040 vehicles
N/A	N/A	563/999Above average	69,549 miles	762 vehicles
N/A	N/A	556/999Above average	97,660 miles	2,100 vehicles
N/A	N/A	478/999Average	83,217 miles	706 vehicles
N/A	N/A	469/999Average	75,399 miles	1,836 vehicles
N/A	N/A	468/999Average	74,386 miles	1,740 vehicles

How reliable is the JAGUAR XJ?

Based on 3,987 MOT tests from 265 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

265

MOT tests

3,987

Pass rate

81.2%

Median mileage

87,247 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every JAGUAR XJ has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 624 out of 999.

Common JAGUAR XJ MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 777 advisory comments and 113 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 137 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 109 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 71 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 19 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: FRONT WINDSCREEN WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSCREEN EFFECTIVELY (8.2.2)

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 17 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 16 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 13 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE: EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (3.7.B.7)

JAGUAR XJ MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2018	12	85	88.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	12	94	93.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016	16	149	87.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	9	96	84.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	14	172	83.1%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2013	5	62	87.1%	Tyre wear
2012	18	226	86.3%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2011	24	351	80.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2010	24	398	78.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2009	9	159	80.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2008	7	109	81.7%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2007	15	271	76.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2006	15	288	83%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2005	10	228	79.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2004	8	185	78.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2003	15	340	80%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2000	6	134	84.3%	Windscreen damage, Corrosion
1997	7	78	87.2%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues

What to check when buying a used JAGUAR XJ

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Buying a JAGUAR XJ?

Common problems tell you what can affect JAGUAR XJs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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