Highlights

• A one owner car with a total mileage of a mere 30,374 or under 1,300 miles a year on average
• Presenting in a sublime Pacific Blue over Oatmeal leather livery
• Boasting a full and diligent main dealer service record

The Appeal

 

The History & Paperwork

• This XJ8 is a UK specified and supplied car
• Sold to its first and only owner by Avalon Jaguar in Wolverhampton
• Avalon Jaguar then went on to undertake all the car’s services to date
• The car is complete with its original, comprehensive book pack
• This includes the all-important service booklet
• Despite its miniscule mileage this documents a full 11 service stamps
• These cover the PDI and mileages from 3,841 to 24,299
• All maintenance has been undertaken by supplying dealer, Avalon of Wolverhampton
• Additional paperwork includes the V5 registration document in the name of the single owner
• The current, advisory free MOT is valid until April 2024
• Two original keys with Avalon key rings are also on hand
• The vendor will be retaining their private numberplate
• As such the car will revert back to its original age-related numberplate

The Condition

• Each and every single panel appears to be in showroom condition and rust free
• There have never been any mentions of rust made in its MOT history 
• The bonnet is remarkably free from stone chips
• The wheel arches appear crisp and true
• The paintwork itself is in impressive condition with the clear coat lacquer being undamaged
• The panel gaps and shut lines being arrow straight
• Together with the chrome detailing around the windows, grille, and bumper edges it really does have presence
• The doors are hefty and reportedly shut precisely with a click
• On opening the door and you’re greeted by a sea of Oatmeal (AGD) and light brown leather 
• This is complemented with deep, biscuit-coloured carpets and copious walnut accents
• The owner reports the interior as like being elevated to First Class, with everything the driver touches being either leather or walnut
• The windows, mirrors and seats all adjust electrically while there’s the useful addition of a remote opening boot
• Cruise control and Sport mode is fitted to keep progress as effort-free as possible 
• Cream leather adorns the door cards, centre console armrest and the seats 
• A light brown leather used to reduce glare on the dashtop 
• The rev-counter, speedo and fuel gauge are neatly inset into the dashboard
• A neat Jaguar-branded clock above the centre console 
• The original Jaguar stereo is in place and offers an AM-FM radio, a single-slot cassette player with Dolby B noise reduction and a boot-mounted CD multi-changer. 
• The owner points out that the six-disc CD cartridge for this is missing – these are available online for around £30
• Keeping occupants cool, with individual air vents located in the rear to keep back seat passengers comfortable 
• With many Jaguars being chauffeur driven, rear seat comfort was a priority
• All four door cards are in immaculate condition

The Mechanics

• The X308 was Jaguar’s first V8 powered saloon
• The AJV8 engine soon earned itself a devoted and enthusiastic following 
• Being a post 2000 car (01.09.2000), this car does not have the nikasil issues
• This one has the steel lined piston bores instead with the issue being rectified from 2000 onwards
• In this application the alloy V8 developed a healthy 240bhp
• This was accompanied by a generous 233Ib-ft of torque
• The well balanced V8 configuration delivered sublime refinement too
• Power is fed to the rear wheels via a ZF 5HP24 five speed automatic transmission
• Given this car’s low mileage and full dealership service history the mechanical condition is excellent
• This is further underscored by its current, advisory free MOT
• The car will come with a new MOT should the reserve be met
• The car has had regular oil changes when being MOT’d
• The XJ8 appears rust free in the common vulnerable areas
• These include wheel arches, rear quarter panels, under bonnet – spare wheel area and wheel arches 
• The under-bonnet condition further showcases this car’s remarkable history
• Under the bonnet, the original 3.2-litre 24-valve V8 looks leak free
• It is reported to idle with a silky-smooth precision
• All the original clips and fixings appear to be in place 
• The warning stickers and VIN plate on the leading edge of the bonnet are the factory-applied ones
• The bonnet is in excellent condition and the sound-deadening material is fully intact and free from rips
• It lowers down on gas struts and reportedly shuts with a solid thud
• During the photoshoot, it reportedly started without issue, didn’t smoke, and seamlessly purred along. 
• The original 5-speed ZF gearbox is said to shift smoothly 
• The current owner reports no mechanical faults
• The underside of the car looks very straight and clean for a 24-year-old vehicle, too