Jaguar Xj (1987)
1987 Jaguar Xj
CarHunch analysed 552 real MOT records for the 1987 Jaguar Xj. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1987 Jaguar XJ passes its MOT first time in only 67.3% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, which signals that age and maintenance standards are catching up with these now 37-year-old cars. With 14% of vehicles having recorded dangerous defects, these are manageable odds for a classic that's been properly looked after, but you'd want a pre-purchase inspection from a Jaguar specialist.
These XJs are running at a modest 91,838 miles on average—reasonable for their age—yet they're averaging 1.4 failures and 4.6 advisories per MOT, pointing to typical wear in older British electrics, trim, and rubber components rather than catastrophic issues. Before buying, commission a full diagnostic check on the electrical systems, cooling, and fuel delivery, as these are the weak points that turn advisory notices into failed tests.
What to check before buying a 1987 Jaguar Xj
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Jaguar Xj
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 551 | 67.3% | 1.4 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 66.7% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1987 Jaguar Xj vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1987 Jaguar Xj vehicles fall between 65,506 and 111,396 miles.
1987 Jaguar Xj — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 17 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (35% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1987 Jaguar Xj
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
46%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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21.4%
Oil leak
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17.7%
Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play
-
16.7%
Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play
-
15.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
15.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
14.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Jaguar Xj?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.