1964 Jaguar E-Type 3.8L Petrol · 233 UKT

The car’s MOT record tells a clear story of chronic wear in the front suspension, steering rack and tyre condition, punctuated by a handful of outright failures that centred on damaged ball‑joint dust covers and a non‑functioning headlamp in 2017‑2020; however the most recent test on 7 April 2026 passed without any recorded defects, indicating that the most serious items have at least been addressed to the point of compliance. With only 47 483 miles logged over 62 years the average annual mileage sits around 760 mi, a figure that suggests the vehicle has spent long periods idle rather than accumulating high road wear. The low utilisation reduces the mechanical fatigue on engine and drivetrain components, but prolonged storage can accelerate rubber and metal degradation, which aligns with the repeated advisories for tyre cracking, suspension bush wear and steering rack mounting deterioration observed across the MOT history. When you inspect the car, concentrate on the front suspension and steering assemblies that have been flagged repeatedly. Feel for any knock or clunk when driving over bumps, especially on the off‑side front wheel, and listen for any looseness or binding when turning the wheel at low speed – these are typical symptoms of worn upper or lower arm pins, deteriorated ball‑joint dust covers or play in the steering rack inner joints. Examine the brake pipe on the off‑side for signs of external damage or corrosion, and test the brake pedal for a firm, even response; any sponginess could indicate lingering pipe wear. The tyres should be inspected for cracking, sidewall perishing or uneven wear that would confirm the advisory, and the headlamp and windscreen wiper on the off‑side must be verified as operational before relying on them for night or wet‑weather driving. Given the pattern of recurring advisories, a thorough pre‑purchase examination by a specialist in classic Jaguars is advisable. Confirm that the coolant leak noted in 2017 and 2018 has been rectified and that there is no residual moisture or corrosion around the radiator and hoses. Verify that the rear anti‑roll bar linkage pins and rear wheel bearing, which have shown slight play, are free of excessive movement and not contributing to chassis noise. Finally, ensure that any replacement parts – particularly the suspension bushings, dust covers and brake pipe – have been fitted with correct torque and that the vehicle’s chassis is free of rust that could compromise structural integrity, as these items will dictate the immediate maintenance budget for a buyer.