1998 Jaguar XJ 3.2L Petrol · R46 MGP

The Jaguar XJ currently holds a failed MOT status from the 12 August 2025 test at 188,867 miles, with no defects formally recorded on the certificate. This leaves the roadworthiness position unresolved and the maintenance trend cannot be classed as stable, given the prior failure on 12 May 2022 at 186,720 miles followed by a pass one day later at 186,723 miles. The lack of recorded advisories across all entries suggests either a clean mechanical condition or incomplete test documentation, but the most recent failure demands clarification before any purchase. The recorded mileage shows light annual use for a 28-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 6,745 miles per year against the 188,867 miles logged. Between the 29 April 2021 test at 185,491 miles and the 13 May 2022 pass at 186,723 miles the car covered only 1,232 miles, then added just 1,761 miles to the 21 August 2024 pass at 188,484 miles. A two-year gap separates the 2022 and 2024 tests, indicating the car may have spent extended periods stationary, which raises the risk of perished rubber components and seized brake calipers. A buyer should physically inspect the suspension bushes, coil springs, and brake discs for corrosion or binding, since long idle periods on a 1998 chassis often conceal such degradation even when MOT records show no advisories. The unexplained failure in August 2025 requires the presenting defect to be identified at point of sale, as DVSA systems recorded none. Given the sparse history and zero advisories, previous owners likely maintained basic statutory testing but omitted voluntary preventative work. Verify structural integrity underneath the sills and subframes, where Jaguar XJ models of this era commonly suffer from rust if left unused.