1998 Jaguar Sovereign 4.0

First registered in February 1998, this LWB Jaguar Sovereign 4.0 has led an unusual life, as we’ll now explain.

The first owner purchased the car from new - as you’d expect - but subsequently was unable to use the vehicle due to unforeseen medical difficulties, making it impossible for them to drive the vehicle.

The car was then laid-up for around nine years with only ~1,500 miles on the odometer, before the first keeper sadly passed away. It was then bequeathed to their housekeeper - along with the rest of the property and assets - who MoT’d the car in 2007 and put a handful more miles on the odometer.

A legal battle then ensued with the housekeeper and the original owner’s son, who was assisted by the previous registered keeper of this Sovereign, and was subsequently bequeathed the car as part of a token of thanks for his legal assistance.

The car was then used for a number of years by the then-owner, using it for local shopping trips and runabout duties in Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Naturally, this XJ Sovereign was his pride-and-joy, and it was treated as such. Sadly, this gentleman passed away in early 2022, and our vendor purchased the vehicle from the previous keeper’s daughter, who was the executor of his estate.

Since coming into the care of our vendor - who has a receipt for the sale of the vehicle, along with a letter from the executor of the will - the car has been serviced, had the timing chains replaced, and one or two areas of cosmetic attention, such as both bumpers being sprayed.

With genuine low mileage and a condition to match, this Sovereign would make an ideal daily driver for the distinguished motorist looking to soak up the miles in comfort and style.

Resplendent in Cabernet Red, this XJ Sovereign is every inch the high-class sedan, and still looks just as regal and timeless today as it did when it rolled off the production line in the late 1990s.

Whilst there may be one-or-two imperfections in the bodywork on the whole the panels are straight, and free from any accident damage.

Similarly, the Cabernet paintwork is in good order, though there are some typical imperfections as expected from an urban vehicle owned by an older gentleman, though the worst of these issues were addressed when the vendor had both bumpers painted, prior to the vehicle being offered for sale.

We’d also make note of the stone chips, minor scuffs to the chrome trim and chips to the edges of the doors, though this is all in keeping with the rest of the vehicle’s condition, and are largely hidden in day-to-day use.

The roof, bonnet and boot have never been painted to the vendor’s knowledge, and this is somewhat substantiated by the imperfections and lacquer damage visible, which we’re told are a result of bird droppings being left on the vehicle by the previous owner.

Elsewhere, there are no signs of any damage to the light lenses or windows that we can see, and the wheels are in very good order though there are a few minor marks to note.

Inside, the Oatmeal leather interior has remained in excellent condition, which is testament to the level of care and attention that went in to building these top-of-the-line Sovereign models.

There is, naturally, some patina and wear to the high-traffic areas - though this is minimal in its nature, and commensurate for a vehicle that is low mileage.

Elsewhere, the seats have fared exceptionally well, with only the driver’s seat showing any discernible signs of wear and usage, though certainly no rips, tears or damage that we can see.

Up above, the headlining is in good condition, whilst the carpets and over-mats are also in great shape.

In the rear, the seats look virtually un-used, whilst even the door cards remain in very good order, in keeping with a low-mileage, cherished vehicle.

The vendor reports that all systems inside the vehicle are working as they should be, with no known faults.

In the engine bay, the 4.0-litre, naturally-aspirated AJ-V8 engine presents well, having cleaned up nicely prior to the vehicle being offered for sale. We cannot see any issues underneath here, with everything looking to be in its right and proper place.

Similarly, the vendor reports the car is in rude mechanical health - having been recently serviced - and our photographer has no reports to the contrary.

The timing chains have been replaced whilst the car is in the vendor’s ownership, though this was a cash job, and as such there are no invoices for this work. That said, the old chains, tensioners and guides are in the boot of the vehicle (shown in the gallery below) as proof of these works having taken place.

Underneath, the chassis looks to be in good shape, and the most recent MoT exam - dated 20 August 2021 - shows a pass with the only advisory being for a worn rear shock absorber bush.

Included with the vehicle is the V5 registered keepers document (the vendor informs us that he retains the most recent V5 in the previous keeper’s name, which will be included with the sale) a number of MoT certificates to substantiate the vehicle’s mileage, invoices for tyres (following the initial MoT fail in August 2021) and a selection of Jaguar OE handbooks and manuals.

With its verified low mileage, strong factory specification and having been freshly serviced, along with having new timing chains fitted, this 1998-registered Sovereign 4.0 is ready to be enjoyed by the next owner to its fullest extent, or could make an excellent addition to any Jaguar owner’s collection, on account of its low mileage an unusual story.

Offered at NO RESERVE with an estimate of £8,000 to £12,000, be sure to get your bids in early to be in with a chance of winning this lovely XJ Sovereign.

Viewing is always encouraged. This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.