Jaguar

Jaguar Xj (2016)

1,112 real MOT outcomes analysed • 89.8% first-time pass rate

2016 Jaguar Xj

CarHunch analysed 1,112 real MOT records for the 2016 Jaguar Xj. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2016 Jaguar XJ passes its MOT first time in 88.3% of cases, a solid 8.3 percentage points above the UK average, suggesting these are generally well-maintained cars—though the fact that nearly a quarter (24.6%) have experienced a dangerous defect at some point is a meaningful buyer concern worth investigating on any example you view. Diesel dominates the XJ lineup in this dataset (1,074 of 1,112 vehicles) and performs identically to the overall cohort at 88.2%, so fuel type isn't a differentiator here.

At nearly 50,000 miles average for an eight-year-old car, mileage is reasonable and suggests moderate use. The average car racks up 0.89 failures and 6.5 advisories per test cycle, indicating fairly routine maintenance needs rather than systemic structural problems—but have a pre-purchase inspection focus specifically on suspension, electrics, and braking components, where the dangerous defect rate suggests vulnerabilities exist.

The 2016 Jaguar Xj passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (89.8%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
89.8%
UK average ~80%
Better than average
Dangerous (ever)
24.6%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
0.89
Over 7.7 tests on record
Moderate
Typical mileage
46k
Middle half: 32k–62k
For context
Good baseline reliability. A 89.8% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 6.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,112 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 1,112 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 33.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 26.3%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Other issues 7.4%
COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,112 Jaguar Xj cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2016 Jaguar Xj

Based on MOT data from 1,112 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 24.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (97%) 1,074 89.7% 0.9

Colour Breakdown

Based on 79,443 Jaguar Xj vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 29.4%
23,344
Red 17.2%
13,699
Green 14.1%
11,218
Silver 11.7%
9,256
Black 11.4%
9,064
Grey 9.2%
7,286
White 2.2%
1,781
Beige 2%
1,625
Gold 1.2%
984
Turquoise 0.6%
447
Brown 0.5%
419
Purple 0.4%
320

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Jaguar Xj vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

46,139
typical
32,498
low mileage
62,116
high mileage

Half of all 2016 Jaguar Xj vehicles fall between 32,498 and 62,116 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 32,498 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
32,498–62,116 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Jaguar Xjs sit.
Over 83,856 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Jaguar Xj — Still on the Road

Almost all 2016 Jaguar Xjs are still on the road.

Strong survival — 956 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 93% of the peak.

93 956 2018 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

7.7
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.89
Avg failures per vehicle
6.5
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Jaguar Xj: All Xj years → Which year to buy? →
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Average reliability — agree?