Jaguar Xj (1991)
1991 Jaguar Xj
CarHunch analysed 1,861 real MOT records for the 1991 Jaguar Xj. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1991 Jaguar XJ has a first-time MOT pass rate of 68.6%, which sits 11 points below the UK average of 80%—a meaningful shortfall that reflects the challenges of keeping a 30-year-old luxury car roadworthy. With 12.7% of vehicles having recorded a dangerous defect at some point, buyers should factor in the cost and complexity of potential safety-critical repairs.
At a median mileage of around 119,800 miles, these cars are typically well-used examples, yet they're still averaging 1.63 failures and 6.6 advisories per test, suggesting age-related wear is the real issue rather than abuse. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection specifically target the electrical gremlins and suspension components that plague ageing Jaguars—the advisory count indicates these are recurring problem areas, and sorting them now beats expensive roadside drama later.
What to check before buying a 1991 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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 1,850 | 68.5% | 1.63 |
| LPG (0%) | 9 | 77.8% | 1.33 |
| Diesel (0%) | 2 | 87.5% | 0.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1991 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 1991 Jaguar Xj vehicles fall between 94,122 and 143,196 miles.
1991 Jaguar Xj — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 64 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (36% 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 — 1991 Jaguar Xj
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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29.1%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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24.4%
Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play
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21.7%
Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play
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20.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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19.8%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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19.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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18.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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15.6%
Oil leak
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Jaguar Xj?
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