2004 Jaguar XJ 4.2 Special Equipment

The benefits of buying a car that’s lived its life in Japan are many, not least the twin wins of not having to deal with the devastating effects of winter road salt while also owning a car that will probably have been unusually well curated.

They are often, like this one, unusually well specified too. As a Special Equipment, this 2004 Jaguar XK8 is to the full UK specification and is loaded to the gunnels with toys. It’s also finished in a great colour combination, is accident free, and has been owned by a doctor for the past four years. 

Add in the 4.2-litre V8 engine, only 58,000 miles on the odometer, and a full service history and you’ll understand the joys of V8 motoring don’t come any more reliable or luxurious than this.

Or cheap. With no reserve and an annual VED rate of just £325, going this fast so comfortably has never been cheaper.

The Zircon Blue aluminium coachwork is as well preserved as it is beautiful. And light. And corrosion resistant. 

The seller describes the car as having “been maintained regardless of cost” and that uncompromising attitude to its upkeep is nowhere more obvious than here. With no dents, dinks, or other damage, even those delicate and vulnerable flanks are free of ripples.

There’s no rust, of course, just mm-perfect shutlines and great panel alignment thanks to that accident-free past.

The Zircon Blue paintwork has a great shine to it, the door shuts and sills are clean, and the four corners are free of parking rash.

As you can see, the minimal chrome trim is excellent.

The Xenon headlamps are free of chips and scratches, as are the rest of the lamp lenses. The badges are all good too, and the windscreen and glazing is all good.

The five-spoke, 19-inch custom alloy wheels are good with only the odd mark on the rims. Tyres are Pirelli P-Zero on the rear and Routeway Velocity on the front.

Other notable features include front and rear parking sensors, Powerfold mirrors, and full-size, UK-spec front and rear numberplates.

As for flaws, there is a small area of alloy corrosion at the bottom of both front wings, and there are some chips to the nearside front wing and the casing of the offside door mirror.

The Barley hide interior is as beautifully preserved as it is extensive. With only very light creasing to the driver’s seat, the leather interior is in an excellent, near-new condition still, which is remarkable given it’s now 20 years old.

It is also enhanced with some of the finest walnut veneer available anywhere, and the two materials come together in one of the most beautiful and tactile steering wheels of the era.

The front seats, which are electrically adjustable and heated, are joined by rear seats that are heated and recline at the touch of a button. All have a memory function, so restoring your preferred settings is only one button-press away.

There’s an electrically adjustable steering wheel too, plus an electrically adjustable pedals and Powerfold door mirrors. Also, automatic lights plus automatic wipers, a touchscreen sat-nav system, and Bluetooth.

Music is taken care of via a 12-speaker Alpine stereo system that includes a subwoofer and a six-CD multichanger in the boot. 

In addition to the fantastic reclining heated seats we’ve already mentioned, the rear seat passengers enjoy their own separate entertainment console, power blinds at the side and rear, and electric headrests.

The cabin also boasts a new headlining, Jaguar mats, and a MPH speedometer

The boot contains a full-size spare wheel, the factory warning triangle – and feather duster where the umbrella normally lives. (No, we don’t know why, either.)

As for cosmetic flaws, the leather on the rim of the steering wheel is a little worn. You could live with that, couldn’t you?

The XJ8 was registered back here in the UK in October 2020 and the service and maintenance history is recorded as follows:

• 16.10.2020 and 38,480 miles – service plus new front control arms and a suspension pump by XJ Cars
• 11.02.2021 and 40,095 miles – suspension repair by Automobile Engineering
• 06.05.2021 and 40,201 miles – suspension repair by Automobile Engineering
• 23.06.2022 and 48,824 miles – air-conditioning service plus new upper and lower rear suspension arms by Recharged Automotive Ltd at a cost of £1,395
• 17.11.2022 and (unknown) miles – service plus a reconditioned steering rack and a new power steering pump by Swallows at a cost of £1,512
• 22.12.2022 and 53,455 miles – replacement auxiliary belt tensioner by Swallows 

We are told that the paperwork in the file demonstrates a full service history while it was in Japan.

It starts perfectly, idles and revs to spec, and does it all without making any odd noises or illuminating any warning lights.

As for how it drives, the seller reports: “It drives as good as new, with no suspension noise, smooth gearchanges, and smooth brakes. The engine is powerful and smooth and there are no warning lights on the dashboard.” It is, he went on to say, “a very, very well sorted, well-maintained car with no errors or faults.”

Remember we said it would be cheap to run? Well, for the cynics among you, not only does it qualify for the £325 a year rate of VED, He reports it returned 34mpg on the journey to us.

As for the engine bay, the fact we feel the need to mention that some of the soundproofing is coming away from the bulkhead and bonnet should tell you everything you need to know about how good everything else is.

It’s the same story underneath, where there is only a light bloom of surface rust on the suspension components. Everything else is excellent. 

The Jaguar’s MoT certificate, which is valid until July 2024, is free of advisories just like every single one since it arrived here in 2020.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar the marker for being an import. It also comes with two key fobs.

The history file for ‘LA54 WYK’ contains a number of invoices for the work that’s been carried out since it’s been back here in the United Kingdom plus the paperwork from its time overseas.

The benefits of buying a car from Japan are clear; the fact it is so expensive to buy and run a car there means owners tend to protect their considerable investment with an unusual degree of diligence.

Like you can see here. 

Its condition makes it hard to believe it’s 20 years old, a positive impression its road manners and performance underscores. It really is a bit of a time warp example.

As to value, our guide price is a paltry £8,000 to £10,000 but as it is being offered with no reserve, it might go for even less. 

Still criminally undervalued in our opinion, only the best examples of this flagship model are likely to do well in the future and this is one of the best we’ve ever seen, so residuals might be stronger than you think. Maybe.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, 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, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.