Potential XK8 Purchase

[LB26]

Hi All.

 

i’ve found a 1998 4.0L XK8 that I’m interested in done 162k, Blue, non convertible. 

car looks pristine inside and out. The previous owner was an Engineer for 20 years and treated it as his “baby”. Unfortunately he’s passed and that’s the reason for the sale from the family. 
 

because he was an engineer he appeared to have done all this own servicing, repairs, Upgrades etc, but there is no paper trail of what was done. The last Stamp was 2015

 

Can anyone give any advice on this? What’s best to do with the sale and purchase? 
 

thanks 

[LairdScooby]

Sometimes these can be the best sort of cars. If you have the knowledge to inspect it, assess the condition of the body and mechanicals, have a good look over it and decide from there. If not find a friend who does and get them to have a good look.

If all is good then make your offer and see what happens.

Sounds very similar to the tale of my 99 S Type - bought by the previous owner as an ex-demo car, maintained initially by Jaguar (service records lost in the estate sale) then sold by a dealer to me. Been very pleased with it.

[LB26]

I’m a complete novice when it comes to car maintenance etc. the bodywork was immense, hardly an imperfection. No knocking noises, low revs, started first time etc. 

There’s no Rust on the body or wheel arches. However I did film underneath. It looked ‘ok’ to my eye (I’m not an expert by a long shot). One particular piece looked quite rusted. I’ve added some photo, what do you think?

[LairdScooby]

Unless you're prepared to have that corrosion on the inner sill and outer sill repaired properly, walk away. Also it has either been jacked incorrectly or the inner and outer sills are weaker than i think!

On the bit on the front floorpan, that definitely loks rusty. Almost to the point of being holed all the way through.

The overall view looks ok at first glance but given my comments already, chances are just hiding more misery for your wallet.

I'm guessing there's no MoT on it at the moment?

[LB26]

The cars not long ago passed its MOT with no advisories. 
 

is the rust on the front floor pan concerning? 
sorry I am very novice. The Sills felt sturdy in person 

[LB26]

The lowest price is also £3500

[LairdScooby]

26 minutes ago, LB26 said:

is the rust on the front floor pan concerning? 
sorry I am very novice. The Sills felt sturdy in person 

The front floor pan is very concerning! 

The sills do not look that good, despite feeling sturdy it's what the MoT tester can see that you can't and also you won't necessarily be able to feel it.

28 minutes ago, LB26 said:

The cars not long ago passed its MOT with no advisories. 

Have you got the reg number please? I'll have a look into the MoT history and see if there's something lurking there.

I'm definitely dubious about the integrity of the recent MoT pass though.

[LB26]

R566DOX. Thanks for this really appreciate it. It failed first time for Corrosion but I don’t think that’s the same as on photo?
 

they did say that some welding has been done. But again it felt sturdy and imo I felt that the previous owner would have rectified it it’s an issue. But can also see how it’s easy for them to pass it off. 

[LairdScooby]

Thanks for the reg, here's the history :

R566 DOX

JAGUAR XK8

Check another vehicle

Colour

Blue

Fuel type

Petrol

Date registered

30 April 1998

MOT valid until

10 August 2026

Get an MOT reminder by email or text.

Download test certificates

You can get information corrected on your MOT history (such as mileage or vehicle details) if it's wrong.

 

 

 

Date tested

11 August 2025

PASS

Mileage

164,378 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

5344 3739 1940

Expiry date

10 August 2026

 

---

Date tested

18 July 2025

FAIL

Mileage

164,299 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

1736 5219 4361

Repair immediately (major defects):

• Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))
• Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))
• Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))
• Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))
• Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Repair as soon as possible (minor defects):

• Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))
• Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))
• Nearside Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Outer sill. (6.2.2 (d) (i))
• Central Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear. (1.1.11 (c))
• Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
• Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
• Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))
• Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded

What are defects and advisories?

 

 

 

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Date tested

22 July 2024

PASS

Mileage

163,895 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

2142 4200 4816

Expiry date

21 July 2025

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

What are advisories?

 

---

Date tested

28 June 2023

PASS

Mileage

163,779 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

1163 1891 7157

Expiry date

27 June 2024

Repair as soon as possible (minor defects):

• Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• brake pipe corroded covered in grease or other material all

What are advisories?

 

 

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Date tested

29 April 2022

PASS

Mileage

163,662 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

3604 4285 4974

Expiry date

28 April 2023

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all (1.1.11 (c))

What are advisories?

 

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Date tested

6 April 2021

PASS

Mileage

163,463 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

3929 4647 9731

Expiry date

5 April 2022

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))
• Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))
• Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

What are advisories?

 

---

Date tested

4 July 2019

PASS

Mileage

162,566 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

5287 4919 8636

Expiry date

3 January 2021

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))
• Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))
• Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive box section (5.3.6 (a) (i))

What are advisories?

 

---

Date tested

11 June 2019

FAIL

Mileage

162,588 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

2937 1279 1041

Repair immediately (major defects):

• Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))
• Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))
• Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))
• Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

What are defects and advisories?

 

 

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Date tested

29 June 2018

PASS

Mileage

161,371 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

4788 2240 6423

Expiry date

28 June 2019

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to rear (1.1.11 (c))
• Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to rear (1.1.11 (c))

What are advisories?

 

---

The MOT test changed on 20 May 2018

Defects are now categorised according to their severity - dangerous, major, and minor. Find out more.

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Date tested

1 June 2017

PASS

Mileage

158,493 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

3764 4987 4510

Expiry date

31 May 2018

Advisory notice item(s)

• Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded to rear (3.6.B.2c)
• Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded to rear (3.6.B.2c)

What are advisories?

 

---

Date tested

1 June 2017

FAIL

Mileage

158,493 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

8840 6225 5400

Reason(s) for failure

• Offside Rear Outer Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)
• Nearside Rear Outer Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)
• Offside Rear Outer Direction indicator obscured more than 50% (1.4.A.2d)
• Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Advisory notice item(s)

• Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded to rear (3.6.B.2c)
• Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded to rear (3.6.B.2c)

What are failures and advisories?

 

 

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Date tested

4 September 2015

PASS

Mileage

155,710 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

4947 3991 3041

Expiry date

3 September 2016

 

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Date tested

4 September 2015

FAIL

Mileage

155,709 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

2330 2356 2389

Reason(s) for failure

• Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

What are failures?

 

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Date tested

24 July 2014

PASS

Mileage

152,104 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

9155 0520 4258

Expiry date

23 July 2015

Advisory notice item(s)

• Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

What are advisories?

 

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Date tested

24 October 2011

PASS

Mileage

151,973 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

3581 1749 1489

Expiry date

23 October 2012

Advisory notice item(s)

• Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)
• Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

What are advisories?

 

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Date tested

20 October 2011

FAIL

Mileage

151,968 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

7556 1389 1276

Reason(s) for failure

• Nearside Front Vehicle structure has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Advisory notice item(s)

• Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)
• Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

What are failures and advisories?

 

 

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Date tested

7 November 2009

PASS

Mileage

142,701 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

1745 0181 9394

Expiry date

10 November 2010

 

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Date tested

10 November 2008

PASS

Mileage

137,287 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

7647 9561 8351

Expiry date

10 November 2009

 

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Date tested

6 November 2007

PASS

Mileage

132,040 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

4339 7091 7395

Expiry date

10 November 2008

 

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Date tested

11 November 2006

PASS

Mileage

125,392 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

2205 1501 6345

Expiry date

10 November 2007

 

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Date tested

8 November 2006

FAIL

Mileage

125,392 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

6913 8231 6324

Reason(s) for failure

• Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Advisory notice item(s)

• Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

What are failures and advisories?

 

 

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Date tested

26 May 2006

PASS

Mileage

125,364 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

6836 7664 6118

Expiry date

25 May 2007

 

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Date tested

4 November 2005

PASS

Mileage

123,514 miles

Test location

View test location

 

View test location

 

MOT test number

5723 4810 5331

Expiry date

3 November 2006

 

It appears on the last MoT there was an advisory for welding but not needed to pass at the time. However in the subsequent pass, it isn't even mentioned, suggesting it had been done - this tallies with what you were told. If you want to check MoT history in future, here's the link :

 

https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

 

Given what's mentioned on the MoT fail in July last year and the complete lack of advisories on the pass in August, i would say it's a reasonably good purchase but would strongly suggest if you do buy it, invest a bit more in :

 

https://www.rust.co.uk/product/cat/our-complete-rust-proofing-service/

 

There's one at Spalding so hopefully not far from you, well worth having done to prevent expensive repair bills later on. Granted it adds around a grand onto the price but if you waited until summer to have it done, it gives time to get some more cash behind you and for any other "undeveloped" rust spots to appear before having it done and the next MoT.

 

Good luck if you do buy it, the MoT history shows mostly bulbs and apparent ABS faults. Sometimes a wheelspin can cause the ABS light to come on for a while and it then disappears by itself so until the ABS light comes on and stays on i wouldn't worry unduly.

[LB26]

Thanks for that, I did check the MOT and notice that. The ABS light came on again the other day but it has been sat for awhile; it’s now cleared again. 
 

with regards to the rust, that photograph was taken by me today, so that is the current state. If I was told welding had been done, and it’s disappeared off the MOT completely, how come it still looks that way?

[LairdScooby]

7 minutes ago, LB26 said:

 

with regards to the rust, that photograph was taken by me today, so that is the current state. If I was told welding had been done, and it’s disappeared off the MOT completely, how come it still looks that way?

That's a very good question and one i can't answer i'm afraid. That's part of the reason i suggested Rustbusters, at leaast that way you could get any remedial work done and nip future corrosion in the bud.

It could simply be the welding was done in an area you haven't captured in your pics, after all the front floorpan would be OSF not NSR which apparently was where it was corroded.

[LB26]

Exactly! The MOT states the opposite side, and that side appears to look OK ( Nearside floor pan attached) 

 

so you’d suggest the offside floor pan looks bad, but the Rustbusters could resolve the issue? Is it worth seeing if the is any Rust underneath the carpet?

overall, £3500 fair price? Taking into account this, mileage and no documented history for a long time? 

[LairdScooby]

Rustbusters could almost certainly resolve any problems then coat the underside with an anti-corrosion coating meaning it will be nearer new for longer if that makes sense.

Most XK8s i've seen for sale on a similar age with history etc have been up for a lot more. As it was engineer owned and is now the subject of an estate sale, i'd hazard a guess that he let things go in the last year orthree of his life. As most of the previous history was failed bulbs, he obviously kept a close eye on things so presumably fixed them as they arose or there would be more evidence on the MoT history.

The mileage sounds high at first but when you consider it's 30 years old, it's just over 5000 miles a year so all things considered, low mileage.

The bug-bear for me would be the corrosion underneath, if you can resolve your concerns about that then i think it should be a pretty good buy.

[LB26]

That was my Thinking. He must of been more proactive with the car rather than reactive. Hence why the MOT has never had a significant issue. 
 

I’ll reach out to Rustbusters and get a rough cost. 
thank you for your help it’s been greatly appreciated