2002 Jaguar XK8 4.0L Petrol · XK02 FUN

A clear pattern emerges across four years of MOT records on this 2002 Jaguar XK8: the vehicle is presently roadworthy but carries an accumulating list of front and rear suspension advisories, corrosion findings near the rear subframe, and an oil leak, with the most recent assessment on 17 December 2025 resulting in an initial failure for an inoperative rear number plate lamp before passing on the same day once rectified. The 2022 test already noted a corroded fuel pipe and a subframe mount corrosion finding within 30 centimetres of an attachment point on the nearside rear, which is a notable structural concern for a chassis of this vintage. By the 2024 test the focus shifted heavily to suspension wear, recording perished rear anti-roll bar linkage bushes on both sides and a worn offside front upper arm bush. The 2025 test then escalated this theme further, logging corrosion on the front suspension arms, worn upper arm bushes both sides, perished rear anti-roll bar bushes both sides, a deteriorated nearside front lower ball joint dust cover, and a non-excessive oil leak, alongside the rear lamp failure. The overall trend is one of progressive wear rather than acute failure, but the density of suspension advisories at the most recent test suggests the components are approaching the end of their service life and warrant close attention before purchase. Recorded mileage of 104,760 miles across roughly 24 years equates to an average annual accumulation of around 4,365 miles, which is low for a car of this age and consistent with a vehicle that has seen light use, significant periods of standing, or possibly a mix of both. Annual MOT submissions are reasonably consistent from 2022 onwards, suggesting the car has been in regular use in recent years rather than left dormant, which reduces the likelihood of seized brakes, perished coolant hoses, or stale fuel that often accompany long lay-ups. However, low cumulative mileage does not negate component ageing on rubber and polymer items, and the recurrence of anti-roll bar bush and upper arm bush advisories over consecutive tests suggests these parts are oxidising and hardening regardless of mileage. The fluid-seal advisories, namely the oil leak and the previously flagged corroded fuel pipe, are also consistent with age-related degradation on a vehicle of this standing rather than high-mileage wear. For a prospective buyer, the priority items to investigate are the front and rear suspension components that have been flagged repeatedly. The front upper arm bushes, lower ball joint dust cover, and the perished rear anti-roll bar linkage bushes should be inspected physically, as worn bushes of this type typically produce clonking or knocking noises over uneven surfaces, vagueness in steering response, and a reluctance to settle after cornering. It is worth gently rocking each front wheel at top and bottom to feel for play from the upper arms and ball joint, and pushing laterally at the rear to detect excess movement from the anti-roll bar links. A test drive over rough tarmac, cats eyes, and undulating roads will help reveal whether the suspension noise is intrusive or borderline. The corroded rear subframe mount recorded in 2022 also warrants a physical inspection with a torch and ideally a lift, as corrosion within 30 centimetres of a mounting point can progress towards a serious structural finding if left unchecked. The oil leak, although classed as not excessive, should be traced to its source, as Jaguar V8 units of this era are known for cam cover gasket seepage which can drip onto exhaust manifolds and produce a visible smell when warm. Finally, the items recorded as minor or advisory on the more recent tests provide useful pointers for immediate rectification rather than negotiation points. The inoperative rear registration plate lamp that caused the December 2025 failure is a trivial fix, but its existence on a Jaguar of this vintage often points to deteriorated wiring within the boot lid loom, which can affect other rear lamps and should be checked for brittle insulation and broken conductors. The windscreen damage and defective wiper blades from 2024 should be verified as resolved, and the under-inflated nearside rear tyre from 2023 should prompt a check of the rear tyre age, as old perished sidewalls on a low-mileage car are a known concern. The parking brake lever defect noted in 2023 suggests the handbrake mechanism may not be returning fully, which is worth confirming operates positively on a hill. Taken together, the car is mechanically sound enough to pass an MOT today, but the buyer should budget for a full suspension refresh including front upper arm bushes, lower ball joints, and rear anti-roll bar links, monitor the rear subframe corrosion carefully, and trace the oil leak before it worsens.