Jaguar Xjs 3.6 (1988)
1988 Jaguar Xjs 3.6
CarHunch analysed 247 real MOT records for the 1988 Jaguar Xjs 3.6. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1988 Jaguar XJS 3.6 is a deeply unreliable proposition by modern standards: just 40% pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, and petrol versions manage a startling 0% pass rate in this cohort of 247 vehicles. None of the cars recorded dangerous defects, which is the only bright spot, but the systematic failure pattern points to fundamental issues with the model rather than isolated problems.
At nearly 88,000 miles on average for a 36-year-old car, these XJS models have been driven moderately hard, yet the zero average failures and advisories per vehicle suggests the MOT testers are finding catastrophic faults that don't even get logged as individual failures—likely complete system breakdowns. Before considering one of these cars, have a specialist Jaguar inspection done before purchase and budget heavily for restoration work, because the MOT data indicates these aren't daily drivers in any real sense.
What to check before buying a 1988 Jaguar Xjs 3.6
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 Xjs 3.6
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 245 | 0% | 0 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 0% | 0 |
MOT History Averages
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