At a Glance
The Jaguar Xj has 8 identified common problems across 8 generations, with the X308 (1997-2003) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 859K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Jaguar Xj common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Jaguar Xj generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Jaguar Xj Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Series I
Most common MOT failure: Windscreen washer not working
Series II
Most common MOT failure: Brake performance below minimum
Series III
Most common MOT failure: Brake performance below minimum
XJ40
Top issue: Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault
X300
Top issue: Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault
X308
Top issue: Ball joint dust cover split
X350
Top issue: Ball joint dust cover split
X351
Top issue: Headlamp washer not working
Most Common Jaguar Xj MOT Failures
Every reason Jaguar Xj vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 8.00% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 7.59% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 5.42% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.11% |
| 5 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 5.02% |
| 6 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 4.97% |
| 7 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.40% |
| 8 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.05% |
| 9 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.69% |
| 10 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.37% |
| 11 | Suspension mounting corroded | 2.91% |
| 12 | Exhaust system fault | 2.78% |
| 13 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.60% |
| 14 | Front suspension fault | 2.37% |
| 15 | Stop lamp not working | 2.12% |
| 16 | Front lamp not working | 1.89% |
| 17 | Brake pads or linings worn | 1.87% |
| 18 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.85% |
| 19 | Chassis condition | 1.79% |
| 20 | Indicator fault | 1.64% |
| 21 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.61% |
| 22 | Track rod end worn | 1.55% |
| 23 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.39% |
| 24 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.29% |
| 25 | Subframe mounting corroded | 1.24% |
| 26 | ABS fault | 1.23% |
| 27 | Steering rack fault | 1.19% |
| 28 | Brake disc or drum worn | 0.95% |
| 29 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.81% |
| 30 | Position lamp not working | 0.77% |
| 31 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.76% |
| 32 | Headlamp fault | 0.73% |
| 33 | Rear lamp not working | 0.73% |
| 34 | Rear suspension fault | 0.71% |
| 35 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.67% |
| 36 | Horn not working | 0.65% |
| 37 | Fog lamp not working | 0.63% |
| 38 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.59% |
| 39 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.51% |
| 40 | Seat belt condition | 0.47% |
| 41 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.45% |
| 42 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.45% |
| 43 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.39% |
| 44 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.35% |
| 45 | Airbag warning light on | 0.35% |
| 46 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.31% |
| 47 | Parking brake condition | 0.29% |
| 48 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.27% |
| 49 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.25% |
| 50 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.25% |
| 51 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.23% |
| 52 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.22% |
| 53 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.20% |
| 54 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.19% |
| 55 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.16% |
| 56 | Brake pedal fault | 0.16% |
| 57 | Brake caliper fault | 0.15% |
| 58 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.14% |
| 59 | Brake fluid leak | 0.14% |
| 60 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.14% |
| 61 | Electrical switch fault | 0.13% |
| 62 | Driveshaft fault | 0.13% |
| 63 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.12% |
| 64 | Steering column fault | 0.12% |
| 65 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.11% |
| 66 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.11% |
| 67 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.11% |
| 68 | Steering free play excessive | 0.11% |
| 69 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.10% |
| 70 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.08% |
| 71 | Drag link end worn | 0.07% |
| 72 | Power steering ram fault | 0.07% |
| 73 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 74 | Steering arm worn | 0.06% |
| 75 | Body security fault | 0.06% |
| 76 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.06% |
| 77 | Steering operation fault | 0.06% |
| 78 | Driver door fault | 0.05% |
| 79 | Steering lock fault | 0.05% |
| 80 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.05% |
| 81 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.05% |
| 82 | Power steering pump fault | 0.05% |
| 83 | Steering box fault | 0.05% |
| 84 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 85 | Engine oil leak | 0.05% |
| 86 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.04% |
| 87 | Front passenger door fault | 0.04% |
| 88 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 89 | Driver seat fault | 0.04% |
| 90 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.03% |
| 91 | Suspension unit fault | 0.03% |
| 92 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 93 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.03% |
| 94 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 95 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.03% |
| 96 | Steering coupling worn | 0.03% |
| 97 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 98 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 99 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.03% |
| 100 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.02% |
| 103 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 104 | Brake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 105 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.02% |
| 106 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.02% |
| 107 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 108 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.02% |
| 109 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.02% |
| 110 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 111 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 112 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.02% |
| 113 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 114 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 115 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.01% |
| 116 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 117 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 118 | Dip switch fault | 0.01% |
| 119 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 120 | Stub axle worn | 0.01% |
| 121 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 123 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 124 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 125 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 127 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Handbrake lever fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 130 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 136 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 138 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 144 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 148 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 154 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 155 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 156 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 159 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 160 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 164 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 165 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 167 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 169 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 171 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 174 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 176 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 180 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 181 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 183 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 185 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 186 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 187 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 188 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 189 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 190 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 191 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 192 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 193 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 194 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 195 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 195 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Jaguar Xj MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Jaguar Xj, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Jaguar Xj problems?
Based on analysis of 859K Jaguar Xj MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 8 identified common problems across 8 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Ball joint dust cover split". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Jaguar Xj generation has the most problems?
The Jaguar Xj X308 (1997-2003) (1997–2003) has the highest number of identified common problems (4). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Jaguar Xj?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Jaguar Xj owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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