2006 Jaguar XJR 4.2L Petrol · LS56 GVV

A two-decade-old super-saloon with barely any MOT blemishes presents a reassuring mechanical profile, and the test record supports that narrative. The most recent assessment on 7 August 2025 was a clean pass with no advisories, continuing a run of unflagged outcomes stretching back to the 2022 annual test. The only interruption was a fail on 25 July 2024 with no defect entries listed, almost certainly a retest situation rather than a genuine mechanical refusal, and it was followed within three weeks by a pass on 14 August 2024. That sequence suggests any issue was resolved promptly and has not recurred. Overall, the DVSA history shows stable roadworthiness with no chronic advisories tracking component degradation over time, which is unusual for a car of this vintage and indicates that the structural and safety items monitored under the MOT regime are holding up well. With 13,267 miles recorded across roughly twenty years, annual usage sits at around 663 miles, placing this XJR well into low-mileage territory. For a high-output Jaguar of this era, such minimal running raises the usual concerns around standing-vehicle degradation rather than wear-driven failure. Rubber components including suspension bushes, drive belts, coolant hoses, flexible brake lines and the various seals throughout the supercharged drivetrain tend to deteriorate through age and inactivity rather than distance covered. Brake discs, callipers and the handbrake mechanism may also have suffered surface corrosion from prolonged standing, particularly on a car stored outdoors. Equally, the consistent annual test attendance with no multi-year gaps suggests the vehicle has been inspected regularly and therefore likely exercised at least to MOT standard, which reduces the risk of a completely laid-up machine. The mileage recorded on the odometer should still be verified against service documentation to confirm it is genuine and not a clocked or replaced unit, and any inconsistencies between the DVSA reading pattern and the age of wear items should be queried. For a prospective buyer, the absence of recorded advisories means there are no flagged components to chase, but the low-mileage profile warrants particular attention to areas that suffer through age rather than use. On a test drive, listen for clonks or squeaks from the front suspension over bumps, which would indicate perished bushes or top mounts on the double wishbone arrangement, and pay close attention to any knocking from the rear as the self-levelling components and bushings take strain on uneven surfaces. The supercharged 4.2-litre V8 should pull smoothly through the gears with no hesitation or uneven idle; any misfire, rough running or oil smoke on start-up would warrant investigation, as Jag V8s of this era can suffer from timing chain tensioner wear and oil leaks from the cam covers and sump. Brake feel should be firm and progressive without judder, and the pedal should not travel excessively far, as seized calliper sliders are common after long periods of low use. Steering should be precise and free of clonks over rough roads, and the transmission should change cleanly without flare or hesitation. Finally, a thorough physical inspection should focus on the items that the MOT cannot fully assess but matter most for a low-mileage modern classic. Check for any oil seepage around the supercharger snout, the cam covers and the differential, as these units are known to mark their territory with age rather than mileage. Inspect the underbody, sills and rear subframe mounting points for any surface corrosion, particularly where road salt can accumulate, as the XJR is not immune to structural rust in vulnerable areas. Examine all tyres for cracking in the sidewalls as well as tread depth, as perished rubber is a common consequence of long-term low use and is a safety item regardless of legal tread. Confirm that the cooling system has been refreshed and that the auxiliary drive belt and tensioners are recent, and verify that the battery is a maintenance-free AGM type or a recent replacement, given the high electrical load this vehicle places on charging systems. With these checks carried out alongside a Jaguar specialist inspection, the clean MOT record suggests a sound mechanical foundation, but the age-versus-mileage mismatch remains the defining consideration for any purchase decision.