The picture
Xj600: above-average pass rates, with caveats
Across 1,658 MOT tests, the Xj600 returns 80.9% first-time pass — above the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a non-functioning shock absorber. A binding brake and rate of flashing not between 60 round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 28,910, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
43 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 02
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
21 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 03
Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute
19 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 04
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
19 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 05
A lamp missing or inoperative
18 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 06
A wheel bearing with excessive play
13 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 07
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
12 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 08
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
12 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 09
Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play
10 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 10
Handlebar grip insecure to handlebar
9 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a Xj600?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Xj600 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.