1998 Jaguar XK8 4.0L Petrol · R233 BLH
1998 Jaguar XK8 (4.0L, petrol). First registered 01/04/1998. Recorded mileage 96,923 miles. MOT status: Failed. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- JAGUAR XK8
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Failed
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 96,923 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 4.0L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- PETROL
- Year
- 1998
- Engine
- 3996cc
R233 BLH Key Findings
- 1 MOT test recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 13/10/2022
- 96,923 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (2 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Technical Specifications
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R233 BLH MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
1 MOT test are recorded for this 1998 Jaguar Xk8 (R233 BLH) between October 2022 and October 2022.
The record contains 0 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 13 October 2022 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (2 issues), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 1 advisory notice is recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Offside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))”; “Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Exercise significant caution. This vehic
The most critical point of negotiation is the four-year gap in MOT history. You must establish why the vehicle has been off the road since 2022 and whether the failures recorded at that time—specifically the rear suspension arm bushes and offside front ball joint—were ever rectified.
Given the age and the recorded suspension issues, a comprehensive mechanical inspection is mandatory. Ensure you verify the service history to see if the 4.0L engine has received regular oil changes, as long periods of inactivity can lead to seal degradation and fuel system issues.
The 3996cc petrol engine will result in high fuel consumption and significant road tax costs. Insurance groups for the XK8 are typically high, reflecting its performance and repair costs.
Maintenance for this model is generally expensive, particularly regarding the complex suspension and V8 engine components. Between fuel, tax, insurance, and the likely need for catch-up maintenance after a long period of inactivity, annual costs will be substantial.
Direct your inspection toward the suspension system. Specifically, check the nearside rear lower suspension arm pins/bushes and the offside front lower suspension arm ball joint, both of which caused the 2022 failure. The offside rear wheel bearing should also be checked for excessive play.
Beyond the specific history of this car, inspect the exhaust system and headlamps, as these are among the top failure reasons for the XK8 model aggregate. Check for any signs of corrosion on the chassis and ensure the windscreen washer system is fully operational.
This 1998 black Jaguar XK8 has a recorded mileage of 96,923 miles as of its last MOT entry in 2022. The available data shows a failure in October 2022 involving the rear suspension, front ball joints, and a wheel bearing. With no MOT records for nearly four years, the current roadworthiness and mechanical state of the vehicle are unverified.
The XK8 has an average MOT pass rate of 80.9% across 8,498 analysed vehicles, with tyres, exhausts, and headlamps being the most frequent failure points.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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