2007 Jaguar Sovereign 4.2 SWB

With just one former keeper in Japan and none in the UK, ‘LF07 ONT’ blends the very best of British engineering with almost unheard of levels of curation; despite being almost twenty years old, it’s still showing just 33,000 miles on the odometer and could easily be mistaken for a car a quarter of its age.

And it’s a great car, too: the Sovereign 4.2 combines power and luxury in a way Jaguar has made its own, and this short-wheelbase model adds agility to the mix.

Throw in the full UK-spec, a complete service history, and more gizmos and gadgets than you’d find on the space shuttle, and you’ve got the recipe for a very appealing car indeed.

Finished in Liquid Silver Pearl and sitting on 19-inch alloy wheels, the Sovereign makes quite a statement, doesn’t it? Mind you, that hue and stance are backed up by some of the straightest bodywork we’ve seen on a car of this age for quite some time.

Of course, the glued and rivetted aluminium monocoque and panels mean it’s never been easier to get tight and consistent shutlines in the first place, and that same construction method means they tend to stay that way.

Not that we should minimize the previous owner’s influence because there are enough scruffy examples out there that prove a combination of salty British winters and a laissez faire attitude can undo even the most diligent engineering.

The lamp lenses are all good too, being free of cracks and sun damage. The badges are bright and unsullied too. Throw in a chromed mesh radiator grille and chromed door handles and you’ve got a car that still looks every inch the aristocrat.

And yet, even so, this is an unusually well-prepared example. Take the 19-inch alloy wheels, for example, which are free of scuffs, scrapes, and other kerbing damage thanks to a recent refurbishment. They’re also fitted with Pirelli P-Zero tyres on all four corners.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The numberplate plinths have been replaced with the correct full-size versions too, and the coachwork has been polished and ceramic coated.

That said, there is room for further improvement as our man spotted the following: light scratch marks on the bonnet; a couple of chips and marks on the driver’s door; a couple of light scratches on the mirror caps and the nearside rear door; polishing marks on the nearside rear wing; light scratches and a mark on the offside rear wing; and one small but noticeable mark on the offside rear door.

The chrome window surrounds also have what looks like a chemical stain to them, almost like water marks with a slight discolouration.

Please don’t be discouraged though because he thinks most of these could be sorted by employing a professional to polish the paintwork and maybe touch-up some of the chips.

The Barley hide seats, which are piped in grey, are electrically adjustable and have a three-position memory. They also have three-stage heating, and are even free of any significant wear ‘n’ tear; if we told you they were only a couple of years old you’d have no trouble in believing us.

The ruched and piped leather in the cabin has been professionally cleaned and treated with hide food too, and the headlining looks as good as it does because it’s only just been replaced. The speedometer face now shows miles-per-hour too, and the sat-nav has UK mapping.

Gadgets abound, and include power-wash headlamps, front and rear parking sensors, double-glazed acoustic glass, and a comprehensive entertainment system that can now access the full range of UK radio stations.

There’s also a speed limiter, cruise control, automatic headlamps and wipers, and a vast central armrest in the back with storage space and two cupholders.

The steering wheel, pedals, and door mirrors can also be adjusted electrically, and the rear seats are heated. There’s decent legroom back there too, despite this being the sporty short-wheelbase version.

The burr walnut veneer is both shiny and free of cracks, and the deep lustre to the chrome controls and handles still reeks of class.

The lettering on the switches is a vivid, bright white too, and the carpets, which have been protected by black overmats, are still in an excellent condition.

Nor is the Jaguar’s cosmetic condition the end of the story because we are told that “there are no warning lights on dashboard, and everything works as it should.” Certainly, everything we tested works including the air-conditioning, which blows icy cold.

The boot is vast and plays host to a space-saver spare wheel, tool kit, hazard warning triangle, battery, CD multichanger, and the DVD player for the sat-nav.

Everything in there looks to be in good shape too, although there are some stains to the carpet.

As for other flaws in the cabin, the buttons near the gearlever have gone sticky and it looks like someone’s tried to clean them with a trowel. Best to just cough up for new ones, we think.

That’s it though, which is remarkable, isn’t it?

We’re told that the Jaguar’s service history is complete, something the paperwork on file seem to support – and this sort of provenance is unusual as Japan takes GDPR very seriously. Luckily, it seems that someone forgot to remove the paperwork, which will be good news for the winning bidder.

The seller reports that it has had “a complete mechanical and electrical inspection since being imported, with any necessary replacements carried out.” He goes on to say that it “runs and drives perfectly. The engine, transmission, suspension, and brakes all perform without fault.”

As you can see, it certainly starts promptly, idles without fuss, and revs as well as you’d hope given the Jaguar’s pedigree. Just as importantly, the noise is a nice balance of civility from the engine and snarling from the twin exhaust pipes.

The engine is so ridiculously clean that you could pop the bonnet without shame in any company.

As for the underside, nowhere are the benefits of buying a car from Japan more evident than here. Completely free of rust, the majority of the fasteners gleam, the plastic trim is in good shape, and the exhaust system’s probably got years of life left in it yet.

It’s all in an extraordinary condition, and it would be worth getting your knees dirty to admire it.

The Jaguar’s MoT certificate is valid until September 2025, and it was issued, of course, with no advisories.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clean bar the marker for being an imported car, and the Sovereign comes with two key fobs, a new V5 registration document showing no previous UK owners, and the Jaguar book pack and wallet.

It also comes with the export certificate, the service history, and its annual tests in Japan.

ULEZ and CAZ compliant, you’ll pay just £345 a year to tax your new car – and because it’s to full UK-spec, you shouldn’t pay a premium on your car insurance, either.

Throw in decent residuals and you can start to ignore the 4.2-litre engine’s fuel consumption.

As you can see from the attached invoice, the seller has invested £2,255 in preparing the car for sale. When you factor in the car’s peerless service history, one-owner-from-new status, and its overall condition, you start to appreciate that it’s a hell of a lot of car for the money.

And how much are we talking about?

Somewhere between £12,000 and £15,000 is our best guess, but as the seller’s happy to offer it with no reserve it’s going to sell from the very first bid.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.