2003 Jaguar XK8 4.2L Petrol · MW53 FVB

A recurring pattern of front suspension wear defines this XK8's MOT history, with upper suspension arm and strut bushes flagged on the nearside in 2021, both sides in the same year, and again at the latest test on 27 May 2026, where the car passed with an advisory for a worn nearside front upper strut pin or bush. Across eight recorded tests the car has never failed, which is a creditable run, but the reappearance of front-end bush advisories five years apart suggests these components were either monitored rather than replaced or have worn again since any earlier repair. Supporting items include slight play in the offside track rod end in 2019, front tyres worn to near the legal limit in 2020 and 2021, and front and rear brake discs noted as worn, pitted or scored in 2023. The overall trend is stable rather than worsening, with clean passes in 2022, 2024 and 2025, but the front suspension remains the area demanding scrutiny. At 60,835 miles over roughly 23 years, the car has averaged only around 2,645 miles annually, a distinctly low figure for the age. The test dates show consistent annual use without long gaps between examinations, so this reads as light, regular use rather than extended storage. Low annual mileage on a car of this weight and age means rubber components such as suspension bushes, track rod end gaiters and brake hoses age through time as much as through distance, which is consistent with the bush advisories appearing despite the modest odometer reading. Equally, the brake disc pitting recorded in 2023 is the classic signature of a car used infrequently, where surface corrosion forms on the discs between outings and is only partially cleaned off by light braking. On a test drive, concentrate on the front end. With the upper arm and strut bush history, listen for knocks or clonks over uneven surfaces and speed bumps, and feel for any vagueness or shimmy through the steering wheel at motorway speeds, which would indicate the wear has progressed beyond the advisory stage. Check for uneven front tyre wear on the inner or outer edges, given the history of edge-worn tyres, as this can signal worn bushes or misalignment rather than simple tyre age. Have the front suspension inspected on a ramp before purchase, with particular attention to the upper arm bushes and ball joints on both sides, and budget for replacement if the play has increased since May. The braking system also warrants a hands-on check: with the engine running, apply the brakes firmly from moderate speed and feel for judder through the pedal or steering wheel, which would betray warped or unevenly worn discs consistent with the 2023 advisories. Inspect the disc faces for heavy scoring or lipped edges, and confirm the car pulls up straight without drifting to one side. Finally, ask whether the track rod end flagged in 2019 was replaced, and verify there is no free play at the wheel with the car jacked up. None of these points is unusual for a 23-year-old Jaguar, and the unbroken run of passes is encouraging, but the asking price should reflect the likelihood of near-term expenditure on front suspension bushes and possibly brake discs and pads.