MOT fail rates by first-use year

1998 Jaguar XJ MOT fail rate and common faults

How Jaguar XJ cars first used in 1998 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2023, against all cars of the same age. From 2,159 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.

MOT data updated 28 September 2026

At 25 years, tested in 2023

MOT fail rate at age 25 (n=1,009)30.3%

All cars at 25 years (n=313,355)36.3%

Difference−6.0 pts

MOT tests of 1998 cars, 2022 to 20232,159

What stands out

In 2023, at 25 years old, Jaguar XJ cars first used in 1998 failed 30.3% of MOTs (1,009 tests), 6.0 points below the 36.3% for all cars that age.
From 2022 to 2023, as these cars went from 24 to 25 years old, the fail rate moved from 31.2% to 30.3%.
The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Jaguar XJ at 25 years, is component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength, at 4.9 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 4.2).

MOT fail rate by test year

Jaguar XJ cars first used in 1998: share of MOT tests that failed, by test year, against all cars of the same age. Years with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
Test year	Age	MOT fail rate	Tests (n)	All cars	Difference
2022	24 years	31.2%	1,150	37.8%	−6.6 pts
2023	25 years	30.3%	1,009	36.3%	−6.0 pts

Most common faults at 25 years

These figures cover all Jaguar XJ MOTs at 25 years: cars first used 1997 to 2000, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=2,998). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.

MOT fail items

Fail item	Per 100 MOTs	All cars
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength	4.9	4.2
Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits	3.2	2.2
Wipers not clearing screen Wear	2.2	3.1
Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits	2.1	1.7
Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced	2.0	1.2
Seat belt prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced	2.0	1.8
Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	1.8	1.0
Suspension arm ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	1.5	0.8
Handbrake too weak	1.5	2.3
Headlight aimed too high Wear	1.4	1.3

Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=2,998). A test with two items counts once for each.

Advisories

Advisory	Per 100 MOTs	All cars
Coil spring: corroded	10.4	6.4
Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear	9.9	10.1
Wheel bearings: has slight play	9.7	4.3
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear	9.4	9.1
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material	9.1	14.1
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive	7.7	14.9
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive	6.1	4.2
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened	5.3	8.6
Suspension ball joint: slight play	4.7	2.8
Integral vehicle structure condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced	4.7	3.2

Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=2,998). A test with two items counts once for each.

Fuel type at 25 years

These figures cover all Jaguar XJ MOTs at 25 years: cars first used 1997 to 2000, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=2,998). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.

Fuel	Share of tests	MOT fail rate	Tests (n)	All cars, same fuel	Median mileage
Petrol	100.0%	28.6%	2,984	35.2%	93,999 miles

Car tax rules for a 1998 car

Cars first registered before 1 March 2001 are taxed by engine size: one annual rate for engines up to 1,549cc and a higher rate above that.

These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check

ULEZ and clean air zones

Petrol cars first registered before 2001 usually do not meet Euro 4, so they usually pay the ULEZ daily charge.
Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 1998 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.

The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker

Other years of the Jaguar XJ

2003 Jaguar XJ

Other Jaguar models first used in 1998

Model	Age at test	MOT fail rate	Tests (n)	All cars
Jaguar XK (1998)	25 years in 2023	25.5%	1,282	36.3%

More on the Jaguar XJ

Read this with care. A fail rate is not a measure of build quality. How far cars are driven, how they are used and how well owners maintain them all change it, and wear items such as tyres and brake pads are common fails. Compare a model only with cars of the same age. Methodology and limits.

Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.

These figures describe 1998 Jaguar XJ cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.

See an example Buying Report All car tools

Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources

Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.