Used buying checklist
Jaguar Xj reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Jaguar Xj looks about average for reliability in UK MOT data: 17.7% of 29,496 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 17.7% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 87,359 miles
- 5,234 failed MOT tests analysed
Corrosion and structure is the clearest area to check
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (45.1 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include corroded and seriously weakened, prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength, and excessively corroded.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- corroded and seriously weakened
- prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength
- excessively corroded
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
- ball joint excessively worn
- ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
- ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt
- leaking excessively from engine
- Fuel Pipe/s corroded
Focus on corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
The model's recorded failure rate is 17.7%, -1.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed29,496 tests
- Median tested mileage87,359 miles
- Failed MOT tests5,234
Should you buy a used Jaguar Xj?
82.3% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 17.7%, -1.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
- corrosion and structure appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "corroded and seriously weakened"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (45.1 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Jaguar Xj, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
The MOT failure rate rises from 2.4% at 0-3 years to 20.6% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (45.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (24.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (10.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (9.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Jaguar Xj, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (45.1 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Jaguar Xj mainly involve 6 areas: mixed recall notices, brakes, seatbelts and safety systems, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Jaguar Xj, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 5,199 | 4,431 | 10.4%-0.4 percentage points vs all models | 35,451 miles |
| 50-100k | 12,863 | 10,491 | 17.6%-3.1 percentage points vs all models | 76,387 miles |
| 100-150k | 8,771 | 6,931 | 21.3%-4.9 percentage points vs all models | 118,841 miles |
| 150-200k | 2,024 | 1,592 | 22.2%-5.0 percentage points vs all models | 165,329 miles |
| 200k+ | 364 | 271 | 25.6%-1.0 percentage points vs all models | 219,108 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Jaguar Xj, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 2.4% at 0-3 years to 20.6% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 20.6% for 15+ years cars, based on 16,447 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
124 | 120 | 2.4%-6.0 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
1,742 | 1,496 | 8.7%-1.9 percentage points vs all models | 5.0 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
4,660 | 3,874 | 13.3%-3.3 percentage points vs all models | 8.0 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
6,523 | 5,244 | 16.5%-7.0 percentage points vs all models | 12.3 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
16,447 | 13,169 | 20.6%-5.3 percentage points vs all models | 20.0 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2025-12-02 | Security Guidance Jaguar Land Rover in conjunction with law enforcement and insurance bodies is aware of the increase in thefts of vehicles in specific geographical locations within the United Kingdom. There is no fault with Jaguar Land Rover's security systems and they continue to meet stringent automotive legislation. Jaguar Land Rover is offering owners guidance on how to maximise vehicle security and protect against theft Vehicle registered keepers will be sent a security guidance letter only - there is no repair action. |
|---|---|
| 2020-09-21 | FRONT AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY WHEN REQUIRED Front Air Bags may not deploy when required. Update the Restrain Control Module (RCM) with the latest software |
| 2019-01-29 | THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY RETAINING BOLT MAY FRACTURE The crankshaft pulley retaining bolt may fracture due to a production specification error. Replace the crankshaft pulley centre retaining bolt with one that has been manufactured to the correct specification. |
| 2017-10-31 | INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MAY INTERMITTENTLY GO BLANK Due to a software issue the Instrument cluster may intermittently go blank. Affected vehicles will be recalled to have the latest software installed/downloaded. |
| 2017-07-31 | SRS DID NOT DEPLOY AIRBAGS AS INTENDED When connected to Jaguar Land Rover�s Symptom Driven Diagnostics (SDD) device and an update is unsuccessfully undertaken the calibration may default to a pre-set condition. In the event of a frontal impact of a sufficient severity to require the Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) to deploy the front airbags the airbags will deploy but at impact thresholds that exceed those which provide the required occupant protection. Failure of the airbags to deploy as required can lead to increased injuries to the occupants. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and update the RCM with the latest software. |
| 2016-12-31 | PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY It has been identified by the air-bag manufacturer that the air-bag initiator generant mix ratio does not meet specification. This can therefore result in the initiator not functioning correctly which can lead to none deployment of the air-bag. Should a collision occur then there is an increased risk of injury to the passenger. Recall all affected vehicles to replace the air-bag with a new quality assured component. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Jaguar Xj. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Jaguar reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.