2006 Jaguar XK8-4.2 S

This 2006 Jaguar XK8 4.2 White Badge has covered just 23,601 miles from new. On the occasion of its 2013 MoT a decade ago, it had covered 15,655 miles. This, then, is a car that has been used regularly – always a good thing – but very sparingly.

Everything about it is pretty much showroom fresh and it has evidently been looked after with a great deal of care and diligence since being bought new as an ex-demonstrator by the last owner.

None of which should come as much of a surprise when you learn that this was just one of many, many cars belonging to the last owner and her husband – cars that include some of the most exalted automotive exotica ever built. Like those rather more rarefied vehicles, this XK8 was serviced and maintained by the best people with no expense spared or corners cut.

The trade vendor is an expert Jaguar dealer, a marque connoisseur and is very well known to us at Bonhams CarsIOnline.If he thinks this is a good one, and he does, then we’re more than happy to believe it.We have driven the car and can attest that it performs properly and feels very accomplished. Everything feels properly screwed together and the car is taught and solid in every respect.The big V8 engine is lively and responsive, and the car goes about its pedigree GT business with all the verve and panache you would wish for.

Always garaged, always looked after in a timely fashion by the right people with the right skills, it is one of the best examples you could possibly hope to find.

The car is a 6-speed auto and comes with:

• 19” Senta alloy wheels

• Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres

• Facelift bodywork with larger front and rear bumper mouldings

• Xenon headlamps

• Side skirt trim

• Tinted rear lenses

• Chrome exhaust tips

• Power fold mirrors

• Rear boot lip spoiler

• Rear parking sensors

• Cruise control

• Speed limit control

• Auto lights, auto wipers, auto climate control.

The bodywork is really very good and there are no dents, creases or dinks of any significance to report.The unusual Copper Black paintwork, too, is excellent and really pops and sings in the sunshine.

Even the entirely standard allocation of stone chips, scratches and road rash you’d expect to find on a 17-year-old car is far more notable for its absence than its presence.

The wheels are in fine condition and seem to be unacquainted with any kerbs or other hazards. The matching Michelin Pilots look to have plenty of life left in them.The lights, lenses, badging, trim and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all in fine fettle.

There are one or two smudges, marks and patches of faint discolouration on the front wings and bonnet but they have the look of blemishes that would quickly capitulate if threatened with a decent polishing machine.

The good news continues unabated on the inside.The full ivory hide upholstery is pretty much immaculate in general and the front seats have yet to earn the right to even light creasing let alone meaningful patina. There is a small scuff at the base of the driver’s seat backrest. The rear seats, unsurprisingly, look as if they’ve never encountered a human being. We note however, that we were unable to raise or lower the drivers seat backrest. The electric motor clicks...but the backrest does not move!

There is a small, unattached plastic bracket sitting on the rear seat. Despite looking, and scratching our heads, we couldn’t quite work out what it had once been attached to. Wiser heads than ours will surely know.

The leather is original and, the vendor tells us, has never been Connolised. The black carpets are equally impressive. The headlining and door cards are beyond reproach, as are the wood veneer inserts.

The dashboard and controls all seem fine and have stoically resisted any temptation to get themselves scratched, marked or otherwise disfigured or impaired. We didn’t press every button, flick every switch or pull every toggle, but everything we did manage to press, flick and pull worked as intended.

The boot looks very good and contains an Alpine audio system subwoofer and 6 CD changer. Even the kick plates on top of the sills are shiny and bright and look as if they’ve never been kicked.

The engine bay looks as you would hope to find in a car that’s yet to reach the 25,000 mile-mark. Everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The undersides of the car seem to have plenty of structural integrity, although you’ll want to see for yourself and reach your own conclusions.

This car’s life and work is documented and recorded, but not exhaustively.The service book has main dealer stamps up to 2009.There are various bills, receipts and invoices covering work done since then.

Being such a low mileage car and having lived on the periphery of a fabulous car collection for all of its life, the vehicle has had work done as and when needed by the specialists allocated to the previous owner’s collection.

While receipts for this work may not be visible in the documents section, it’s surely evident in the quality and condition of the car.

The car’s MoT is valid until 25.07.24.

We think you’ll be a long time waiting to find a better XK8 White Badge than this.One owner (a classic car collector) from new.Very low mileage.Exceptional condition.Great to drive.

What’s not to like?

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ, Abingdon. 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’.