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N878 XBL

1996 Jaguar Sovereign

Green Petrol 3980cc

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MOT Status

Valid

Expires10 Oct 2027

Tests20 (15 pass, 5 fail)

Pass rate75%

Mileage

181,933 mi

Last recorded181,933 miles

Recorded on16 Sep 2026

Typical for 1996 Jaguar Sovereign114,314 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationN878 XBL

MakeJaguar

ModelSovereign

Year1996

ColourGreen

Fuel typePetrol

Engine3,980cc

View full Jaguar Sovereign reliability data Browse other 1996 Jaguar Sovereign registrations

All premium checks include

50+ data points

Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

15 pass 5 fail

Pass 16 Sep 2026 181,933 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened offside and nearside (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn offside and nearside (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive offside and nearside (5.3.6 (a) (i))

corrosion present on front suspension components

corrosion present on rear suspension components

Fail 16 Sep 2026 181,933 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened offside and nearside (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn offside and nearside (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive offside and nearside (5.3.6 (a) (i))

corrosion present on front suspension components

corrosion present on rear suspension components

Pass 30 Sep 2025 180,831 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn offside and nearside (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner wheel arches (offside and nearside) (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive offside and nearside (5.3.6 (a) (i))

corrosion present on front suspension components

corrosion present on rear suspension components

Fail 30 Sep 2025 180,831 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn offside and nearside (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner wheel arches (offside and nearside) (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive offside and nearside (5.3.6 (a) (i))

corrosion present on front suspension components

corrosion present on rear suspension components

Pass 11 Oct 2024 176,466 miles

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing offside and nearside (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn offside and nearside (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive offside and nearside (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill ends to inner wheel arch (offside and nearside) (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing offside and nearside (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

corrosion present on front and rear suspension components

Pass 11 Sep 2023 174,877 miles

Corrosion present on front and rear suspension components

Corrosion present on sill end and wheel arches (offside and nearside)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing and wearing on inner edge (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing and wearing on inner edge (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn offside and nearside (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Pass 4 Oct 2022 174,623 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn offside and nearside (5.1.2 (b) (i))

corrosion present on front and rear suspension components

corrosion present on sills ends to inner wheel arch (offside and nearside)

Pass 5 Oct 2021 174,228 miles

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear corrosion present on end sill to inner wheel arch

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear corrosion present on end sill to inner wheel arch

corrosion present on front suspension components

corrosion present on rear suspension components

Fail 5 Oct 2021 174,228 miles

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear corrosion present on end sill to inner wheel arch

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear corrosion present on end sill to inner wheel arch

corrosion present on front suspension components

corrosion present on rear suspension components

Pass 30 Sep 2019 173,816 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

corrosion present on front suspension components

corrosion present on rear suspension components

Pass 10 May 2017 173,684 miles

Front Front wheel bearing has slight play both sides (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame attachment rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame attachment rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 4 May 2016 168,812 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear subframe (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear subframe (2.4.G.2)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint on rack (2.3.3b)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Slight play in n/s/r and o/s/r wheels due to wear in diff

Fail 4 May 2016 168,812 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear subframe (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear subframe (2.4.G.2)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint on rack (2.3.3b)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Slight play in n/s/r and o/s/r wheels due to wear in diff

Pass 1 May 2015 159,257 miles

Pass 2 May 2014 149,045 miles

Pass 24 Aug 2011 149,018 miles

Fail 10 Aug 2011 148,997 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

fuel pipes corroded at rear

Pass 23 Jan 2008 144,629 miles

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 25 Jan 2007 136,241 miles

Pass 27 Jan 2006 127,183 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension weakened but no possibility of the body or a component fouling a road wheel (2.4.A.1b)

How Reliable is the Jaguar Sovereign?

Based on 21,315 MOT tests across 2,301 vehicles.

74.7%

Pass Rate

2,100

Miles/Year

Year Lifespan

2,301

On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 998

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 614

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 518

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 347

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 333

Full Jaguar Sovereign reliability report

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N878 XBL is a 1996 Jaguar Sovereign in Green with a 3,980cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

Across all 1996 Jaguar Sovereign models, the average MOT pass rate is 76.2% with a typical mileage of 114,314 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Jaguar Sovereign fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 998 recorded failures. If you're considering buying N878 XBL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Jaguar Sovereign typically stays on UK roads for around 42 years. At 30 years old, this Jaguar Sovereign is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of N878 XBL?

You can check the full history of N878 XBL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N878 XBL registered?

N878 XBL is a 1996 Jaguar Sovereign, first registered on 1 February 1996.

Is N878 XBL safe to buy?

The MOT history for N878 XBL shows 20 tests with a 75% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N878 XBL have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on N878 XBL. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.