Jaguar

Jaguar Xjr (2005)

129 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.2% first-time pass rate

2005 Jaguar Xjr

CarHunch analysed 129 real MOT records for the 2005 Jaguar Xjr. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page
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 Compare Models

The 2005 Jaguar XJR hits the UK average with an 81.2% first-time pass rate, but the real concern is that 39.5% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects—nearly double the typical rate—making thorough pre-purchase inspection non-negotiable. Electrical and suspension issues dominate the failure list, reflecting the complexity of this supercharged executive saloon.

At nearly 79,000 miles on average, these XJRs show reasonable mileage for their age, but they're racking up an average of 3.5 failures and 18.6 advisories per test, signalling that ownership costs climb steeply as components age. If you're serious about buying one, factor in specialist servicing and expect to budget for suspension work, electrical gremlins, and potential engine management faults—this is not a cut-price luxury buy.

We have limited data for the 2005 Jaguar Xjr — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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
81.2%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
39.5%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
3.53
Over 17.1 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
78k
Middle half: 61k–99k
For context

These stats describe 129 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 129 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 56.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Other issues 52.5%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened · …
Brake wear 46.7%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Suspension & steering 30.4%
Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush · Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 129 Jaguar Xjr cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2005 Jaguar Xjr

Based on MOT data from 129 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 39.5% 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
Petrol (99%) 128 81% 3.56

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Jaguar Xjr 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.

78,283
typical
60,824
low mileage
99,018
high mileage

Half of all 2005 Jaguar Xjr vehicles fall between 60,824 and 99,018 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 60,824 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.
60,824–99,018 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Jaguar Xjrs sit.
Over 133,674 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 Jaguar Xjr — Still on the Road

Most 2005 Jaguar Xjrs are still being driven.

Strong survival — 83 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 85% of the peak.

94 83 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* 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

17.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
3.53
Avg failures per vehicle
18.6
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Jaguar Xjr: All Xjr years → Which year to buy? →
1989 1990 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2006 2007

Or browse all models: Jaguar →

Jaguar logo

Compare with another model

See how the 2005 Jaguar Xjr stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing