2004 Jaguar S-Type 4.2L Petrol · RX04 CVV

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history indicates a worsening trend regarding structural integrity and suspension. While it passed the most recent January 2024 test at 111,375 miles, the tester identified severe deterioration of both front upper suspension arm ball joint dust covers. This follows a pattern of escalating corrosion issues noted in the sills and side skirts during 2023. The recurring nature of these faults suggests that while the car is kept moving, the underlying metal health of the chassis and rubber components is in active decline. At 22 years old age, the recorded mileage of 111,375 miles averages out to approximately 5,000 miles per year. This low-use profile often correlates with mechanical longevity, but the data shows significant gaps. There was a two-year interval between the 2021 and 2023 tests, and only 2,000 miles driven between February 2023 and January 2024. Such long periods of standing can lead to the degradation of rubber seals and accelerated corrosion, which aligns with the reports of perished dust covers and worn arm bushes. A buyer must prioritise a thorough inspection of the vehicle's underbody. The record shows persistent corrosion in the inner and outer sills across multiple years, which poses a high risk of structural failure over time. Specific attention is required for the rear brake pipes, which were flagged for corrosion as early as 2018, 2020, and 2021. Given the history of worn front arm bushes and play in the anti-roll bar linkages, the entire suspension geometry should be checked for play or uneven wear to ensure the previous repairs were not merely temporary fixes.