2005 Jaguar XJ 4.2L Petrol · LM54 DRV

The 2005 Jaguar XJ presents a stable and reassuring mechanical picture based on its MOT record. The most recent test on 22 May 2026 at 75,405 miles was a clean pass with zero defects recorded, indicating the vehicle currently meets all roadworthiness standards. Looking back through the history, the maintenance trend is clearly stable and improving, as the only advisory defects in the entire record appeared over two years ago in February 2025. The subsequent October 2024 test and the clean passes before and after suggest any minor issues were addressed promptly. The mileage pattern tells an interesting story for a vehicle of this age. At roughly 21 years old with 75,405 miles, the annual average sits at approximately 3,591 miles per year, which is notably low. The intervals between tests reveal a gap between October 2024 at 71,151 miles and February 2025 at 71,431 miles, covering just 280 miles in roughly four months, suggesting a period of very light use or possible standing. The jump from the February 2025 test to the May 2026 test shows 3,974 miles accumulated over approximately 15 months, which is more active but still modest. This low annual mileage can preserve mechanical components but also raises the question of whether seals, rubber bushes, and fluid systems have been kept in regular operation or have deteriorated from prolonged static periods. The only advisory flags in the entire history relate to track rod end ball joint dust covers on both the nearside and offside front, noted in the February 2025 test. These are minor rubber deterioration items rather than structural or mechanical failures, and their absence from the subsequent May 2026 test suggests they were either replaced or reassessed as not preventing ingress of dirt at that time. A prospective buyer should still inspect the front suspension closely, checking for play in the track rod ends themselves, condition of the inner and outer tie rod boots, and any signs of uneven tyre wear that could indicate misalignment from worn steering geometry. Given the low mileage and age, also examine the underside for surface corrosion on subframes, brake lines, and exhaust mounting points, as infrequent use on salted roads can accelerate localised rust even on well-maintained vehicles. The braking system, suspension bushes, and coil springs deserve a thorough inspection during a test drive, listening for knocks over speed bumps and checking for pulling under firm braking, as these components may have aged more from time than from use.