• Low ownership

• Excellent condition throughout

• Ideal for wedding/event hire

Since 1968, Jaguar’s XJ famed XJ saloons had maintained a fairly strong family resemblance generation to generation, but Ian Callum’s design for the fourth-generation 2009 car (the X351) changed all that. 

With its lightweight aluminium floorpan and body, the new model was more a modern ‘ four-door coupe’, rather than a traditional three-box saloon.In addition to the standard version with a 3,035 mm (119.5 in) wheelbase, a 3,160 mm (124 in) long-wheelbase version was also an option. Three-litre diesel and five-litre V8 flavours were available.

In 2012, Jaguar upgraded the XJ’s automatic gearbox to an eight-speed unit and, enhancing economy, added its new intelligent stop/start system.

This Jaguar has been a limousine hire car all its life, enjoying the regular attention and maintenance of a ‘working’ vehicle. 

As such, it offers the high level of standard equipment offered (it’s a ‘Premium Luxury’ model) including perforated leather, air-conditioned seats, full-length sunroof and an excellent infotainment system.. Nor has the car had to endure any faddish customisation from successive owners - it’s pure, (high) standard Jaguar.

There is a clutch of documents with the saloon, including the car’s original hand books. A paper from the previous business who owned the car lists service dates and mileages, while a further printout from Stratstone Jaguar gives more details. Sundry MOT certificates corroborate the mileage through the car’s life.

In Polaris White with a black roof and sitting on 20in gunmetal grey alloys, this Jaguar XJ saloon makes a striking impression. Bodywork is in excellent condition - white can be unforgiving - but there are few blemishes to speak of, save perhaps for a couple of very small touched-up chips on the nose, just above the offside headlight . 

The body panels flow nicely into one another with some narrow gaps between, and with no awkward protrusions apart from a cracked front grill, the bonnet closes fine but slightly rattles as the hinges requires adjustment and a small crack on the front bumper near the passenger headlight. The trim maintains the bodywork’s smooth lines, hugging the contours of the coachwork closely. Both paintwork and chrome show an even shine, with the black roof making a striking contrast. 

The sunroof shut lines are airtight. All the light clusters are bright and clean, and the mesh grills and chrome details around the nose are in good shape. There is understandably a some mild scuffing from gravel in this area, but no dirt or debris has been allowed to collect there and the front spoiler looks pretty good too, showing no significant scrapes. Overall, the wheels are in good shape, though one is missing its centre ‘growler’ and the nearside rear has an extended scuff around one part of its edge.

The overall impression of the interior is good with the cream and brown leather creating a tranquil and harmonious effect. The hides are mostly very good, with only light creasing to the seats, mainly on the outer bolsters. Understandably, driver’s seat shows a little more wear, especially on the outer edge. 

The cream leather around the lower areas of the dash and the transmission tunnel are surprisingly clean, as are those areas on the door inserts. Handles and window control buttons here remain markedly tidy. The high-gloss carbon fibre-look panels in the doors are also very good. The often ‘scratch magnet’ piano black and chrome finish centre console has worn well, with few no fingernail marks in the lacquer.

Down below, the mats and carpets are quite clean, with no accumulated dirt in or around the seat runners, while up above, the sun visors and headlining do show some fingermarks. Door seals are good, the rubber remaining supple and a good colour.

Overall, still a classy cabin.

Although the engine looks a bit dusty, everything appears to be very much intact and in its proper place. 

All plastic components appear a very healthy shade of black and show no signs of cracking, heat damage or fatigue. One or two brackets around the lower bay show a little oxidation or corrosion, but there appears nothing to remotely cause concern. Hoses are also good, and there are no signs of leaks around the engine in general.

The underside of the car looks very healthy, with the undertrays showing no signs of damage or corrosion (save for the odd bolt head). The exhausts are fine, and there is no corrosion or cracking where they exit the rear valance. The undersides of the doors are very clean and again, the outer rubbers and seals are in excellent condition. Suspension components, where visible, look to be in excellent health. Brake discs appear to be in very good shape.  

All very solid.

With little more than a detailing and polish and a good valeting, this Jaguar appears set to continue the work it has been doing. It remains a stylish, striking car that will look good - and perform well at any event. It will be a very useful tool for any fleet that acquires it.

Of course, if you’re of a mind, it also makes an equally compelling argument as a luxury family express. Your choice.