1984 Jaguar XJ 4.2L Petrol · A24 NBV

Corrosion is the defining theme of this 1984 Jaguar XJ's recorded history, with brake pipes, suspension components, rear coil springs and the rear vehicle structure all flagged repeatedly between 2018 and 2021, alongside a persistent non-excessive oil leak and heavy sealant applied across the underbody. The record shows two failed tests, one in November 2019 and one in December 2021, each followed by a same-day pass, which indicates the defects prompting refusal were rectified promptly on both occasions. The most recent recorded test on 1 March 2023 passed with no defects or advisories at all, a notably cleaner outcome than the 2020 and 2021 tests, though with no test recorded since that date the current condition of the corrosion-related items cannot be confirmed from the data. Overall the trend appears to be improving on paper, but the recurring nature of the corrosion advisories across four consecutive years means the clean 2023 result should be treated as a snapshot rather than a resolution. At 73,170 recorded miles over roughly 42 years, the car has averaged only about 1,742 miles per year, a very low accumulation rate consistent with light seasonal use or extended periods standing. The test dates themselves show annual or near-annual testing from 2017 through 2023 with no major gaps, but there is no recorded test after March 2023, leaving a gap of over three years to the present day during which usage and storage conditions are unknown. Low-mileage use on a car of this age places less wear on drivetrain and brake friction components but does nothing to arrest the corrosion already documented on the brake pipes, springs and structure, and standing periods typically accelerate exactly the kind of deterioration this history records. A prospective buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the brake pipe run from front to rear on both sides, which was flagged as corroded and covered in grease or other material in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. On a test drive, feel for a soft or long-travel brake pedal, any pulling to one side under braking, and check beneath the car for dampness along the pipe route. The rear coil springs were noted as corroded on both sides in 2020 and 2021, so listen for any knocking or settling noises over bumps and check the car sits level at the rear. The nearside front wheel bearing showed slight play in 2019, so listen for a humming or droning that changes with road speed and check for wheel rock with the car jacked up. The rear vehicle structure was recorded as corroded in 2018, and the repeated references to heavy underbody sealant warrant particular caution, since sealant can conceal as much as it protects; a hands-and-knees inspection or ramp examination of the rear chassis and jacking points is strongly advisable. The oil leak noted across 2019, 2020 and 2021 should be traced to its source, whether engine, gearbox or power steering, and the offside front steering rack gaiter flagged in 2020 should be checked for splits, since a failed gaiter allows dirt into the rack. Finally, given the absence of any MOT since March 2023, the buyer should establish why testing lapsed and budget for a fresh inspection before purchase.