1996 Jaguar XK8 4.0L Petrol · P826 HKW

The most recent MOT, on 29 May 2024 at 110,371 miles, resulted in a clean pass with no defects or advisories recorded. Across the three consecutive annual tests spanning June 2022 to May 2024, the car has passed each time without a single flagged item. This indicates a stable and consistently healthy maintenance trend, with no evidence of worsening mechanical or structural issues during this period. The recorded mileage pattern is remarkably light for a vehicle of this age. Between the June 2022 test at 110,061 miles and the May 2024 test at 110,371 miles, the car covered only 310 miles over roughly two years, or about 150 miles per year. Averaged over its near 30-year life, the car has done roughly 3,679 miles annually. Such a low recent accumulation suggests either infrequent pleasure use or long periods of standing. The annual test cadence has remained unbroken, which is a positive sign, but the minimal recent driving raises the question of whether the car has been regularly exercised or simply stored between MOTs. Because the MOT history is entirely clear, there are no recurring faults to guide a buyer's inspection. Any latent issues are therefore age-related rather than evident in the recorded defects. A purchaser should focus on the condition of suspension bushes and coil springs, which commonly degrade on a car of this vintage despite low mileage. Check the front brake discs for lipping and the rear calipers for binding, as the Jaguar XK8 is prone to seized sliders. Look underneath for corrosion on the sills, floor pans, and suspension mounting points, since structural rust often develops on a lightly used car kept in damp conditions. The coolant system and cooling fan on the V8 engine deserve particular attention, as coolant leaks and fan failure are well-documented faults on the early XK8. The paperwork presents a trouble-free car with a genuine but extremely low recent usage pattern. That combination is favourable, yet a thorough independent inspection remains essential. The sparse annual mileage between tests makes it hard to judge whether the car has been sympathetically preserved or simply neglected, and only a physical assessment of the underbody and running gear will reveal the true story behind the clean MOT record.