2004 Jaguar XJ 3.0L Petrol · ET53 RBO

The 2004 Jaguar XJ presents a stable and reassuring maintenance trend, culminating in a completely clean pass at its most recent MOT on 18 December 2024, recording 44,211 miles with zero defects. The vehicle has demonstrated consistent mechanical compliance over the past three years, passing cleanly in December 2023 at 42,542 miles and December 2022 at 40,559 miles. A minor anomaly appears in the record from December 2021, where a failure was logged on 4 December at 38,710 miles without recorded defects, followed by a clean pass eleven days later on 15 December at 38,729 miles. This pattern strongly suggests a same-day retest after rectifying a minor fault, rather than a prolonged mechanical issue, establishing a solid trajectory of roadworthiness. The mileage accumulation is exceptionally low for a vehicle of this age, averaging roughly 2,010 miles annually. Between the December 2021 pass at 38,729 miles and the December 2024 test at 44,211 miles, the car covered just 5,482 miles over a three-year period. While low mileage generally reduces wear on drivetrain components and consumables, it raises specific concerns regarding long-term storage. Extended periods of standing can cause rubber suspension bushes and tyre sidewalls to perish, brake discs to surface-corrode, and seals to dry out, meaning the low odometer reading alone does not guarantee mechanical integrity. Given the absence of recurring mechanical advisories in the DVSA record, a buyer should focus their physical inspection on components susceptible to age-related degradation rather than high-mileage wear. Pay close attention to the condition of the tyres, checking the date codes and sidewalls for cracking, as the rubber may have hardened despite ample tread depth. Inspect the brake discs for lipping and surface corrosion, a common issue on vehicles that sit idle, and check the exhaust system for signs of corrosion or weeping joints. Examine the suspension bushes and dampers for deterioration, and verify the structural integrity of the underbody and subframes, as older Jaguar XJs of this era can be prone to corrosion if not kept in a dry environment.