Jaguar Xj (1998)
1998 Jaguar Xj
CarHunch analysed 6,358 real MOT records for the 1998 Jaguar Xj. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Jaguar XJ has a first-time pass rate of 75.4%, which sits 4.6 percentage points below the UK average of 80%, signalling below-average reliability for its age. More concerning, nearly a quarter of these cars (23.4%) have recorded dangerous defects during MOT testing, which is a significant buyer red flag that warrants professional inspection before purchase.
At nearly 96,000 miles on average, these XJs show typical mileage for their age, but the real story lies in what inspectors find: an average of over 18 advisories per vehicle suggests chronic wear across multiple systems, not just one or two problem areas. Budget for at least 3 failures worth fixing on your next MOT, and have a pre-purchase inspection focus specifically on suspension, brakes, and electrical systems—the areas where this model persistently struggles.
What to check before buying a 1998 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.
- ⚠️ 23.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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%) | 6,318 | 75.4% | 3.09 |
| LPG (1%) | 36 | 73.1% | 3.17 |
| Diesel (0%) | 4 | 66.9% | 5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 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 1998 Jaguar Xj vehicles fall between 73,337 and 115,627 miles.
1998 Jaguar Xj — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 540 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (19% 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 — 1998 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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66.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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65.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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53.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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51.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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26%
Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play
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23.4%
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
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23.3%
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play
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21.7%
Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Jaguar Xj?
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