2008 Jaguar XJ

Grace, Pace, Space and more than 40 miles to the gallon. What more could you want? Well, how about just 16,000 miles covered from new and a full service history?

This silky V6 powered Jag XJ was a dealer demonstrator car at Minster Jaguar in Doncaster. Dealers choose the spec of demonstrators based on what they think will sell cars, which tells you a lot about how fantastic this engine and six speed automatic transmission combination suits the alloy bodied XJ. They also make sure to tick all the important options when speccing such a car, so this one has:

20 inch Callisto alloy wheels.

Ivory leather interior.

Satellite navigation.

Climate control.

Cruise control.

Heated seats.

Electrically adjustable memory seats.

Heated front windscreen.

Radio CD changer.

A full set of summer mats and winter mats (rubber).

Full size spare wheel.

The Black coachwork is nothing short of stunning. Putting paid to any lingering doubts you might be harbouring about Jaguar quality back-in-the-day, its tight and even shut lines, gleaming paintwork and wonderful panel alignment speak of a car built with a great deal of care by the sort of craftsmen and women for which the West Midlands is famous.

And that care has been repaid in spades over the years too, because it’s very nearly as good now as it was when it left Coventry 15 years ago. Still wearing ripple-free flanks and straight panels, it’s fair to say that it has been cossetted over the years, and curated with an uncommonly high degree of care.

We found a tiny mark on the nearside door mirror and a slight polishing marks on some of the plastic, but we mention these purely in the interests of absolute transparency, as the car is in beautiful condition.

The 20 inch Jaguar Callisto alloy wheels are in fine shape, with a recently fitted matching set of Dunlop tyres between them and the road. The plastic lamp lenses are all bright, clear and condensation free, and the overall effect is of a car that could easily be a couple of years old.

This is a thoroughly modern interior, with swathe of anodised alloy and ivory leather, but it’s put together with a craftsmanship level that harks back to Jags of old. German luxury cars are well made, but they just can’t get near the panache of this XJ.

Plump and yet massively supportive via deep side bolsters, something you’ll appreciate when you start to make the most of the car’s legendary performance and handling, the seats in here are still in great shape. With only very gentle creasing, you could be forgiven for mistaking them for seats that have seen three years of use rather than being nearly old enough to ride a moped.

The rear seats are just as good, and the headrests fold down when they aren’t being used, which is a lovely touch that increases rearwards visibility immensely.

The rest of the leather trim is equally impressive, as are the deep-pile carpets, door cards (with two sets of mats to protect them), dashboard instruments, and the controls. It really is an absolutely wonderful cabin to be in – and all the better for being so well preserved. The only minor fault is some slight sagging of the headlining in the rear.

The boot, which is also home to full size spare wheel (don’t you just hate space savers?) is in great shape. And unlike the original XJ, for those who don’t agree with Mark Twain’s rather scathing assessment of golf, there’s plenty of room for a full set of clubs in here. That said, it doesn’t look like it’s ever seen any, as it’s absolutely immaculate.

The Ford built 2.7-litre V6 was used in Jaguars, Land Rovers and even the odd French car (such as the weird and wonderful Peugeot 407 Coupé). It’s one of those diesel engines that you have to listen to for several seconds to check it is actually an oil burner, such is its smoothness.

Assisted by a pair of turbochargers (using two means they can be smaller, so they spool up more quickly) on the road it feels like a large capacity petrol engine, which, of course, is exactly what Jaguar was aiming for. And with 16k miles on the clock it’s very nearly run in.

It idles happily (are you sure it’s a diesel?) pulls strongly and is a confirmed non-smoker. And it lives in an engine bay every bit as lovely as the rest of the car. Like most modern machines, there are a lot of plastic covers under here, but they help keep the noise at bay and they’re all in excellent shape.

The Jaguar has a full service history with two stamps from the main dealer plus 11 more from the same Jaguar specialist workshop. It also comes with all the original handbooks, all old MoT certificates and a stack of historic invoices.

This XJ’s current owner bought the car 13 months ago, as he’s always liked the shape and previously owned one in back in 2012. He found this one after a long search, and bought it ‘from a charming retired gentleman in South Yorkshire. He’d had it since June 2009, when he’d bought it from Minster Jaguar in Doncaster with just 3194 miles on the clock.’

This gentleman treasured the Jaguar and treated it as his baby. He only used it for high days and holidays and only allowed the current owner to buy it after making a solemn promise to look after it – one he’s clearly kept.

‘For my part I’ve made it almost perfect, and have followed the recommendations of the AA report I had when I bought it. The only fault is the slightly sagging headlining, which was only just noticed the other day – a known Jaguar issue I am informed.’

‘I have done a very leisurely 2,000 miles in it, thoroughly enjoying every wafting minute. Now it’s time to pass it onto someone else as I fancy a change.’

The current owner has replaced all the tyres with a set of brand new Dunlops, as the old ones, while still showing plenty of tread, were starting to crack. He’s also replaced an upper suspension arm and renewed a window motor and regulator. The air conditioning has been recharged, and he’s had a couple of parking sensors replaced.

‘The car always gets admiring glances and regularly gains complimentary comments. What makes it really special apart from the condition (the photographer apologised when getting in and out of the vehicle so as not to make it dirty), is the very low mileage of 16,000 and the fact that it is a UK car and not an import.’

The big Jag saloon moved on a year after this X358 was built, with the subsequent model abandoning the visual lineage that can be traced right back to 1968, so this car very much represents the end of an era.

With this mileage, this desirable engine spec and in this condition, we don’t think you’ll find a better final iteration of the historic Jaguar XJ anywhere.

We estimate this car will reach anywhere between £16,000 - £19,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Brentwood, Essex. 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’.