2003 Jaguar XJR 4.2L Petrol · MJ03 AAU

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the MOT history reveals a persistent trend of deferred maintenance regarding rubber components. While the most recent test in April 2026 at 128,763 miles passed, the record shows multiple advisories for suspension hardware that have remained unresolved for several years. The deterioration of ball joint dust covers and track rod ends appears consistently from 2023 through 2026, suggesting the owner is only addressing components once they approach a failure threshold rather than performing preventative replacements. The mileage pattern is exceptionally low for a 23-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 5,600 miles per year. Between March 2023 and April 2026, the car covered only 876 miles, indicating long periods of stationary or very infrequent seasonal use. This low usage explains the recurring issues with perishing tyres and surface rust on brake discs noted in the 2023 and 2024 tests, as rubber compounds dry out from lack of movement and metal surfaces oxidize due to age-related exposure rather than tread wear. A physical inspection must focus on the front suspension geometry and damping system. The tester repeatedly flagged light misting on the nearside front and offside rear shock absorbers since 2025, which indicates internal seal failure and imminent leaking. Furthermore, the severe deterioration of the rear upper suspension arm ball joint dust covers and rod ball joints poses a risk of moisture ingress into the joints, which will lead to premature play and handling instability. The buyer should also check for sidewall cracking in the tyres, as the 2024 record confirms all four tyres showed signs of perishing despite low mileage.