Highlights

Only three UK keepers with current one since 2016
Low documented 44,000 miles from new
Very smart silver metallic paintwork with blue leather
Recent £2,8000 a/c system overhaul
Repairs to electrics and lights in 2025 totalling £975
Regularly serviced in recent years to 2023
Dry stored in a heated garage by current keeper
Believed by seller to be very original
Current MOT to December 2026 with no advisories

The Appeal

Jim Randle’s decision to design the XJ40’s engine bay to make it impossible to fit Rover’s V8 helped keep the Series 3 XJ12 in production for an extra five years and eight months over its XK-engined sibling. But arguably the 5.3L car was always destined to last longer simply because no car before or since has quite captured its silky-smooth air of serene, unruffled brilliance.

The Daimler-badged car was the ultimate version, gaining extra exterior chrome, improved veneers and leathers and a pair of separate rear seats. In the intervening 36 years since production, it has covered less than 44,000 miles, with servicing and MOT records supporting the odometer figure. The result is a very tidy and reportedly highly original car. The paintwork presents well, as does the smart dark blue leather. There are some nice details like the GKN ‘Kent’ alloys, large steel sunroof and attractive walnut veneers.

The car has had just three UK keepers, with the current one since 2016. During that time it has been stored in a dry, heated garage when not in use. It has been sparingly used yet regularly maintained, largely by the same local specialist. The last service was in December 2023, since when it has covered few miles. Other notable work includes nearly £4,000 invested in late 2025 to rectify electric and lighting issues. The current MOT runs to December 2026 with no advisories.

In great condition and with well-documented history, this is a treat for the many fans of these superlative saloons.

The vendor says:

“Beautiful classic-looking car - I love this Daimler Double Six - so pleased to have a unique car (lots of regular Jaguars!!) .. it drives smoothly, floats along .. gets lots of admiring looks & waves wherever it goes.”

Key Information

Mileage: 43,974 miles indicated
Country of registration: United Kingdom
Technical inspection status: MOT valid until 10th December 2026 with no advisories
Technical specs: 5,343 cc V12 petrol, three-speed automatic
Paperwork: large history file, V5C, 2 sets of keys, various invoices

Recent service history:

12/23 - 41,615 miles - Motorcraft
11/22 - 40,407 miles - Motorcraft
11/21 - 39,110 miles - Motorcraft
11/20 - 37,744 miles - Motorcraft
11/19 - 36,487 miles - Motorcraft
Service book unreadable - 35,313 miles - Motorcraft
11/17 - 33,794 miles - Motorcraft
10/16 - 31,253 miles - Harwoods Jaguar

Notable recent maintenance:

12/25 - £2,810 - a/c service and regas
08/25 - £975 - lighting and seal repairs

The Detail

Attractive steel silver metallic paintwork in good condition for age and mileage
Bodywork presents well with arches and sills in good order for a Series 3 XJ
Chrome side strips and bumpers in good condition
Fitted with correct GKN Kent alloys with matching Michelin tyres
Underside as shown with no structural advisories on MOT
Described as very original by seller
Dark blue leather Daimler specification interior in very good condition
Few signs of use to leather, carpets or walnut trim
Fitted with Kenwood stereo
Large steel sliding sunroof with well-kept headlining as shown
Lights and a/c system recently renovated as detailed in photos and above
Vendor states the car starts and runs well with no known faults
No advisories on MOT
Described by the vendor as driving smoothly
Said to be in very good condition with no known damage
Only used and driven occasionally during current ownership

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. It is the bidders responsibility to confirm import eligibility prior to purchase.

✓ Unless stated otherwise, you must assume that any cherished, personalised, or heritage vehicle registration is not included in the sale of a vehicle.

Comments

mot••••

4 hours ago

Thx for reply yes i noted your comments on some service history but what about prior to my years mentioned are you sure there’s no japan connection

kevin-n••••

Seller

Yes - there is a Japan connection .. I thought that was explained?? The car is a UK car - first registered new in UK 1990 .. apparently it was purchased in UK by a Japanese businessman who was living in the UK .. he purchased it in the UK and later shipped it to his home in Japan - he had it there for some time and had servicing carried out there - there are some Japanese service receipts but I cannot read Japanese!! The same man bought the car back to the UK - the V5 confirms no export marker, it confirms new in UK first registered 1990, it confirms 3 UK owners, it confirms my friend has owned for past 10 years - the car is a UK car