2012 Jaguar XKR-S

With just one former keeper, this Jaguar Italian Racing Metallic XKR-S Coupé is still showing just 45,800 miles on the odometer. It’s been in the care of the seller since 2014 too, and has one of the most fulsome service records we’ve seen in a while.

There’s plenty of recent expenditure too; this is not an under-the-arches special being passed from one owner to another in a desperate attempt to dodge the big bills.

No, it’s something far, far nicer: a cherished modern classic that’s only being offered for sale because the owner finds he’s using his Range Rover more and more, and his Jaguar coupé less and less.

The all-aluminium monocoque and body panels means rust isn’t an issue, which just leaves panel damage and paint issues to consider.

Luckily, neither is a concern. The panel alignment is excellent, with consistent shutlines and neat swagelines; this one demonstrates a fit ‘n’ finish that would have been impossible for Jaguar to deliver only a few years ago, but it is most certainly up there with the very best of them now.

The red paintwork, which is actually Jaguar Italian Racing Metallic is pretty good too, although it could do with some minor attention, which we’ll come to shortly. Overall though, the coachwork is good – and isn’t it a stunning shape?

The light lenses, glazing and badges are also good, although we do note a stonechip to the windscreen.

There’s no chromework to worry about, its place having been taken by more modern materials like carbon-fibre, which is used extensively on the XKR-S and whose weave is left open to view. Its presence as aerodynamic aids is a statement of intent; this is not a car to be trifled with. Ditto the quadruple exhausts that poke out from beneath the rear diffuser.

Pirelli P-Zero tyres swathe the 20-inch alloy wheels – and you all know how we feel about matching high-quality tyres by now, don’t you? The front tyres were replaced in November 2022.

Finished in a subtle anthracite, the alloys do have some scuffs on them (e.g. #65 and #122) but this kind of minor damage is almost impossible to avoid when you wear such low-profile rubber and use the car in cities.

The bonnet also has its fair share of stonechips (e.g. #47 and #48), so localized touch-ups or even a full respray of the bonnet should be on your To Do list.

You might also ask your preferred bodyshop to sort out the scuffs behind nearside rear wheel (#63) and in front of the offside front (#46).

Less straightforward is the carbon-fibre rear wing, which is starting to delaminate (#36, #37, and #58). There are folk out there capable of repairing it, of course, but you’ll need to find an expert rather than leaving it to your local dent guy.

The Jaguar would also benefit from a professional polish and wax to remove the love marks and swirls it wears. Red is one of the easier colours to restore and we think half a day or so would transform the paintwork from slightly jaded to something you’ll be proud to show off at your local car show.

The R-S front seats, which are finished in Warm Charcoal leather, are spectacular, all swoops and curves and heavily sculpted to hold the driver and passenger firmly in place. High-backed and featuring hefty shoulder support, they’re every inch the high-performance items you’d expect to find in a pedigree sportscar like this.

They’re multi-adjustable via nifty control panels on each door, and that adjustment includes the strength of the hugs the side bolsters give; the XKR-S is capable of soothing and caressing you as effectively as it can scare the pants off you. It’s your choice, and that choice is made via your right foot.

Befitting its top-flight status, there’s a Bowers & Wilkins sound system fitted plus lashings of chrome and piano black trim. It’s all rather glorious and balances luxury with sportiness better than most – but then that’s Jaguar’s USP, isn’t it?

The boot, which is wide and shallow, is as well trimmed as the rest of the interior.

There is some wear to the driver’s seat bolster (#125) but this is minor and to be expected. The rest is very good.

The XKR-S’s service history, which is recorded in the service history booklet and via the invoices you see here, is as follows:

• 22.05.2013 and 8,725 miles – service by Paragon Fleet Solutions, Bicester
• 10.04.2014 and 11,343 miles – service by Jaguar Company Vehicles, Corby
• 09.04.2015 and 16,244 miles – service by H.A. Fox of Guildford
• 12.05.2016 and 23,342 miles – service by H.A. Fox of Guildford
• 04.05.2017 and 30,943 miles – service by H.A. Fox of Guildford
• 17.05.2018 and 36,158 miles – service by Inchcape of Guildford
• 17.05.2019 and 42,146 miles – service by Inchcape of Guildford
• 26.10.2020 and 44,058 miles – service by Inchcape of Guildford
• 16.11.2022 and 45,278 miles – service, a new wishbone, two new Pirelli tyres and miscellaneous work by Inchcape of Guildford at a cost of £3,152.

April 2023 saw the Jaguar receive £2,239 of ministrations in the hands of Barny Jones Ltd., an independent JLR specialist. This work included pedestrian sensors, an air-conditioning condenser and gas recharge, new drop links, and programming of the front seats.

The front bumper and air diffuser were repaired in the same month, and this work set the owner back another £1,260.

Are you starting to understand how fulsome its service and maintenance record is?

As a result, it starts well, idles and revs perfectly, and there are no warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. It also makes what is probably the nicest sound of any domestic sportscar, although it is eerily quiet inside when you’re just ambling along…

We’ve taken it for a brief test drive and our assessor says it “drives superbly” and goes like the devil himself is chasing you.

The engine bay is clean, as is the underside. There is some surface rust to some of the underbody components, but only on the steel items obviously and this could be tidied up fairly easily if this bothers you.

The Jaguar’s MoT certificate is valid until November 2023.

It comes with the owner’s manual, service history booklet, and the rest of the Jaguar book pack plus one key.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

If classic cars are your thing but you’re reluctant to accept dodgy reliability, poor brakes, so-so performance, and period accident safety then a modern classic like this might be the car for you.

As fast as any sane person needs, it handles beautifully, stops on a penny, makes the nicest noise this side of Senna’s F1 car, and offers pretty much new car reliability.

You could buy this V8-powered supercharged British sportscar for somewhere between £35,000 and £40,000 – then sit back and smile because you will have officially beaten the system, especially when you consider you’ll be adding even more value with every cosmetic job you tick off the list.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 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’.