You've found a Jaguar XJ for sale and at the right price, but is it the right Jaguar XJ for you? We help you separate the wheat from the chaff.
If you have recently found a Jaguar XJ for sale but aren’t sure exactly what to look out for then check out our buyer’s guide below. The price of the Jaguar XJ can vary depending on optional extras and specifications, especially on the X351 Jaguar XJ generation and so making sure it is in good condition is critical. The last year of production was the 2019 X351 Jaguar XJ, 2020 and 2021 model year concepts for an electric Jaguar XJ were shelved and mothballed, meaning we are unlikely to see another.
The Jaguar XJ was first produced in 1968 and continued for 51 years with the X351 being the final gen
eration produced and sold from 2010 to 2019.
First, there was the X351 Jaguar XJ as it was originally launched, featuring claw-style rear lights and conventional xenon headlights. This design was replaced in two stages. First a minor update in 2014 that made some minor tweaks to the exterior styling along with adding a start/stop function to the engines for efficiency. A year later a much more pronounced facelift happened, making the differences between the 2014 and 2015 updates obvious. These included J-Blade rear lights, LED headlights, and an array of driver assistance upgrades to include adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist.
Early models are reported to have corrosion appear on the runners for the sunroof, this is easily identified and if resolved early shouldn’t cause a further issue.
The ICT and ICTP have had a variety of software and hardware problems, however, owner's forums appear split on how common the issue arises on the XJ, with some suggesting the Jaguar F-Pace.
Some owners have reported the gearbox hunting at low speeds, particularly on earlier models. As these are the older of the X351 generation a gearbox oil service should be the first action. If this doesn’t resolve the issue then speak to a specialist in engine computer management.
The XJ gets the 3.0 TDV6 produces 271bhp in early versions and 295bhp in later models. It had been a development from the earlier 2.7TDV6 used in the Jaguar S-Type and early version of the Jaguar XF. The earlier 2.7 has a known issue of an oil pump housing and catastrophic failure of the crankshaft in Land Rovers. The 3.0-litre didn’t appear to fully resolve this however failures to date are much less common.
The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine is a Ford Ecoboost unit and kicks off the petrol range, it was offered in later models as a replacement to the supercharged 3.0 V6 and produces 237bhp with an average consumption of 33.2 miles per gallon. Low pressure and high-pressure fuel pumps have been known to fail although the number of times this has happened to one fitted in a Jaguar XJ is very small.
The 3.0-litre supercharged engine produced 335bhp. Coolant issues relating to the pipework and leaking valve cover gaskets were the most common issues, although a faulty insulator spring in the supercharger has also been reported with owners noticing a knocking noise at the front of the engine.
Finally, the 5.0 V8, which was offered both in naturally aspirated and supercharged form produced either 385bhp or in supercharged form 502bhp. The engine is considered fairly robust, especially in its application in the Jaguar XJ. Problems can stem from faulty timing chain guides, many of which were repaired by Jaguar under warranty, but if there is no evidence of a repair listen for any chain rattle.
Note from Miles
I'll really miss the Jaguar XJ. Our farewell in the video was heartfelt from all of us at The Miles Driven, the car really is a class of its own, but looking at what has become of the large luxury sector, may the Jaguar XJ left at just the right time, before it was forced to be something it isn't. Farewell XJ.
Interested in a classic Jaguar? Check out our review of the Jaguar MKII 3.4.