2004 Jaguar S-Type 2.7L Diesel · RF54 FMK

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a recurring pattern of brake and suspension component failure. While the most recent test in March 2023 at 109,246 miles passed with no defects, this followed two years of failures related to braking issues. In 2022 and 2023, the car failed due to binding front service brakes, with the latter test also triggering ABS and stability control warning lamps. This suggests that while faults are addressed when identified, the braking system is prone to sticking or electronic faults. The mileage profile is notably low for a 22-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 5,000 miles per year. There is a significant gap in records between June 2019 and March 2021, where the car covered only 1,000 miles over two years. This low-use pattern often correlates with the degradation of rubber components and accelerated corrosion, which is evidenced by the multiple failures regarding perished ball joint covers and anti-roll bar linkages noted in the 2017 and 2019 tests. A buyer must specifically inspect the suspension and structural integrity for corrosion, as the record noted covers fitted to the outer sills in 2017. The history of deteriorated ball joint dust covers and corroded handbrake cables indicates that the lower assembly components suffer from environmental ingress when not frequently driven or proactively maintained. Given the recurring issues with binding calipers and pitted discs, a thorough road test is required to ensure the calipers are operating freely and the discs are not excessively thin or warped.