2005 Jaguar XK 4.2L Petrol · B5 FRK

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history shows a worsening trend regarding suspension component integrity. While it passed the most recent test in April 2026 at 67,276 miles, the tester identified multiple severely deteriorated suspension arm ball joint dust covers across both the front and rear upper sections. This issue is a recurring pattern seen back in 2023 and 2025, indicating that the rubber seals are failing across the chassis and are not being proactively replaced during annual service intervals. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 21-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 3,200 miles per year. There is a significant gap in usage between March 2023 and May 2024, where the car covered only 69 miles in over a year, suggesting it sat stationary for long periods. This low usage explains the age-related degradation of rubber components, such as the perishing and cracking of the rear tyres noted in the April 2026 test, which is a common symptom of dry rot rather than high mileage-related tread wear. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the upper suspension geometry to ensure the deteriorating ball joint boots have not allowed grease to escape or contaminants to enter. The previous failure in February 2023 due to an ABS warning lamp requires a diagnostic check to ensure the sensor fault was fully resolved and not intermittent. Given the low mileage and periods of standing, the brakes should also be inspected for corrosion and seized calipers, as these components frequently fail on vehicles that are not driven regularly.