1999 Jaguar S-Type 4.0L Petrol · R400 ADV

The July 2026 test at 71,531 miles resulted in a pass only after a same-day retest rectified an inoperative windscreen washer; the underlying picture shows a worsening trend in rear suspension and brake components. The tester flagged worn and pitted rear brake discs on both sides, slight play in the nearside rear anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, and deteriorated track rod end dust covers across the rear axle, alongside a persistent minor exhaust leak and a failed number plate lamp. These defects represent an escalation from the 2024 advisories, where dust covers were noted as severely deteriorated but joints remained tight, and rear pads were simply wearing thin. Mileage accumulation confirms extremely low usage, averaging roughly 2,650 miles annually since 1999. The record reveals prolonged periods of inactivity: only 279 miles covered between January 2021 and July 2023, a mere 1,557 miles to June 2024, and barely 203 miles in the two years since. Such extended storage accelerates brake disc corrosion, perishes rubber bushes and dust covers, and allows exhaust moisture to settle, explaining the rapid deterioration of rear suspension seals and the pitted braking surfaces seen in the latest test. The 2021 failure at 69,491 miles exposed significant structural corrosion on both rear coil springs and excessive wear in the offside front lower ball joint and nearside rear outer suspension bush, requiring replacement to pass. Subsequent tests show the rear suspension continues to degrade; the 2023 pass noted slightly worn lower shock bushes, while the 2024 test recorded severely deteriorated dust covers on both rear suspension rod ball joints and the anti-roll bar linkage. The 2023 failure also recorded an ABS warning lamp fault and an Engine MIL malfunction, both cleared by the retest four days later, suggesting intermittent electrical or sensor issues that warrant a diagnostic scan. A buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the rear subframe and suspension mounting points for corrosion spread from the coil spring seats noted in 2021. Verify the rear brake disc pitting depth against minimum thickness limits, check all rear ball joints and track rod ends for axial play beyond the slight movement already recorded, and pressure-test the exhaust system for the recurring leak. Given the minimal recent mileage, assess the condition of all rubber brake hoses, fuel lines, and coolant hoses for perishing, and confirm the ABS and engine management systems hold no stored codes.