2004 Jaguar XJ 4.2L Petrol · LL04 DHA

The 2004 Jaguar XJ presented a current roadworthy status as of its most recent MOT test on 5 September 2025, where it passed, although with a number of minor defects noted. These included a slightly defective nearside front headlamp lens and severely deteriorated ball joint dust covers on the upper suspension arms at all four corners. The maintenance trend is arguably stable but with caveats. Earlier in September 2025, the vehicle failed its MOT on a number of major defects, including a leaking rear shock absorber, inoperative registration plate lamps, and an incorrect offside front headlamp beam aim, before a successful re-test two days later. Prior to that, the 2024 test cycle showed a failure for inoperative dipped beam on the offside front headlamp, and an earlier failure in August 2024 cited excessively damaged track rod end and steering linkage ball joint dust covers. This pattern suggests a vehicle that is broadly maintained to a roadworthy standard but is showing signs of deferred attention to rubber components, suspension, and lighting. The recurrence of steering and suspension ball joint dust cover deterioration across multiple tests indicates that the underlying joints themselves may now be nearing the end of their service life. With a recorded mileage of 58,906 miles over approximately 22 years, this XJ has been used very sparingly, averaging just under 2,700 miles annually. This low usage figure strongly points towards prolonged periods of standing rather than consistent light use, and that carries its own particular mechanical implications. Long standing periods encourage corrosion of brake discs and callipers, leading to binding or seized slide pins, as well as perishing of rubber components such as tyres, bushes, and gaiters through age rather than wear. The advisory history strongly corroborates this, with all four tyres recorded as severely perished in 2024, and repeated advisories for deteriorating ball joint dust covers. While the mileage is low and therefore engine and drivetrain wear may be modest, calendar degradation of oils, coolant, brake fluid, and the 12 volt battery is entirely independent of distance covered and is highly likely on a vehicle of this age and usage profile. Given the recurrence of suspension, steering, and tyre advisories in the MOT record, a prospective buyer should pay particular attention to these areas on a physical inspection and test drive. On a road test, listen for clonks or knocks from the front and rear suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly indicating worn upper suspension arm joints or rear suspension arm pins and bushes. Check for uneven tyre wear across the axles, which would suggest misalignment or worn suspension geometry, and examine the sidewalls closely for cracking or perishing, as the advisory history confirms this is an ongoing issue likely to require replacement. Inspect the brake discs for severe corrosion pitting on the outer edges and verify that the callipers release cleanly, as binding is common on low mileage vehicles that have stood for long periods. A thorough under-bonnet check should look for signs of fluid leaks, particularly engine oil as noted in the 2024 advisory, and the condition of all auxiliary drive belts and coolant hoses, which become brittle with age. Beyond the items flagged in the MOT history, several age and standing-related checks are strongly advised for this vehicle. The brake fluid, coolant, and automatic transmission fluid should be considered overdue for renewal purely on the basis of calendar age, and it would be prudent to verify whether these services have been documented in the vehicle history. The 12 volt battery should be load tested, as batteries that have stood partially discharged for extended periods suffer reduced capacity and may fail without warning. The headlamp lenses should be examined for the clouding and crazing flagged on the nearside front unit, and all exterior lighting checked for correct function, given the recurring registration plate lamp and headlamp defects. Finally, the air conditioning system, which is rarely used on low mileage cars, should be tested for cold output, as prolonged lack of use can degrade seals and lead to refrigerant leakage. A pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with Jaguar vehicles would be highly recommended given the combination of age, low usage, and the recurring suspension and rubber component advisories evident throughout the MOT record.