Does the Jaguar XJS fail the MOT on steering more than it should?
The Jaguar XJS records 4.24 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 7.65 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−3.41, 95% interval −3.79 to −3.04). It ranks 570 of 640 models on steering (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on steering · check a Jaguar XJS by registration
What exactly fails on steering?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Jaguar XJS is “Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated”, recorded 298 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 298 | 1.43 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 216 | 1.04 |
| Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning | 177 | 0.85 |
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 35 | 0.17 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 20,814 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Jaguar XJS gets a steering advisory, how often does it fail next time?
5.2% of Jaguar XJS MOTs with a steering advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.3 months and 345 miles later (806 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 806 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Jaguar XJS by postcode area · Jaguar XJS body, chassis and structure failures · Jaguar XJS brakes failures · Jaguar XJS vehicle identification failures · Jaguar XJS lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Jaguar XJS noise, emissions and leaks failures · Jaguar XJS road wheels failures · Jaguar XJS seat belts and airbags failures · Jaguar XJS suspension failures · Jaguar XJS tyres failures · Jaguar XJS visibility failures