2009 Jaguar XJ 2.7L Diesel · B2 KOW

The most recent DVSA examination on 28 April 2026 resulted in a PASS, with a single Minor defect noted for a severely deteriorated offside front upper suspension arm ball joint dust cover, alongside advisories for slightly worn bushes on both rear shock absorbers. Five days earlier, the same vehicle failed on identical items, with the additional advisory that both front tyres were worn close to the legal limit and on the edge. The 2025 test cycle mirrors this pattern almost exactly, with a fail on 14 April followed by a pass on 15 April, both flagging worn front upper suspension arm pins or bushes, inner-edge front tyre wear, and the same rear shock absorber bush advisories. Looking further back, the 2023 pass noted inner-edge front tyre wear, fluctuating rear service brake performance, and worn rear upper suspension arm bushes on both sides. The overall trend is one of stable but chronic issues rather than acute decline: the same suspension and tyre wear points keep recurring, suggesting these are progressive wear items on this particular car rather than isolated events, and any prospective buyer should treat them as a maintenance backlog rather than a passing concern. With approximately 71,735 miles recorded over 17 years, the vehicle has covered only around 4,220 miles annually, which is notably low for a car of this age and well below the typical mileage band where mechanical wear is the dominant failure mode. Such low annual usage in the UK climate often points to extended periods of standing, during which corrosion can take hold on brake discs, caliper slide pins, exhaust hangers, and underbody components, while rubber and polymer parts deteriorate through age rather than use. Conversely, the relatively modest odometer reading means the engine, transmission, and drivetrain have not been subjected to the high cumulative wear typically seen on higher-mileage examples, which is a positive indicator for major mechanical components. The recurring advisories warrant close physical inspection and a careful test drive. The front upper suspension arm pin or bush wear has now appeared across two consecutive test cycles and was also flagged at the rear in 2023, indicating that the suspension bushings throughout the vehicle are reaching the end of their service life. On a road test, listen for clonks or knocking from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for vagueness or wandering in the steering, as worn upper arms can introduce toe misalignment and imprecise handling. The inner-edge front tyre wear noted in 2023, 2025, and 2026 is consistent with the suspension geometry being affected by these worn components, so any replacement tyres should be monitored for rapid or uneven wear after fitment; a four-wheel alignment is strongly advisable. The rear shock absorber bushes, having been advisory for two consecutive years, should be inspected for any progression to play in the mounting, which would manifest as a slightly unsettled or noisy ride over expansion joints. The 2025 advisory for thinning rear brake pads, combined with the 2023 advisory of fluctuating rear brake performance, suggests the rear braking system may be due for attention, potentially including caliper inspection for seizing given the low-mileage usage profile. Beyond the recorded defects, a low-mileage seventeen-year-old Jaguar XJ of this pedigree requires a thorough age-based inspection that the MOT history alone cannot capture. Tyres should be checked for sidewall perishing and cracking regardless of tread depth, as old rubber can fail catastrophically even with plenty of tread remaining. The brake discs, having potentially sat idle for long periods, should be examined for severe surface corrosion and the calipers should be checked for binding, which can cause uneven pad wear and pulling under braking. Fluid condition is calendar-sensitive on a car of this age: coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and automatic transmission fluid all degrade with time and should be verified for recent renewal, as should the timing belt or chain service history specific to the engine variant. The 12V battery is very likely due for replacement if it has not been changed recently, and the underbody, exhaust system, and jacking points should be inspected for the standing corrosion typical of low-use luxury saloons. Finally, given the complexity of Jaguar XK and XJ platform electronics, all comfort and convenience systems including the infotainment, climate control, adaptive damping, and powered closure mechanisms should be exercised during viewing, as age-related failures in these areas are common and can be disproportionately costly to rectify.