Used Jaguar XJ Saloon 2003 - 2009 reliability review
The Jaguar XJ is a luxury car with traditional looks and a comfortable ride, but it hides hi-tech construction and a sporting streak
More used reviews:
- (2015 - 20)
See used cars for sale
Luxury
Jump to:
What's the used Jaguar XJ like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Alternatives
Reliability
Stuart Milne
Updated: 1 January 2006
How we test cars
What should I look for in a used Jaguar XJ?
The Jaguar XJ is heavy on its suspension, so listen out for clonks that may come from worn suspension bushes around the car, especially if you turn into a corner quickly.
See used cars for sale
Keep an eye out for smoke from the back of the car. A little black smoke under heavy acceleration on diesel versions is par for the course, but white or blue smoke on any model will be a sign of a more serious issue.
Every XJ has lots of electronic trickery on board, so check it all works. Run through all the functions of the on-board entertainment system, and if satellite navigation is fitted, check it still picks up a GPS signal.
To date, there have been nine recalls on this shape of XJ. The most serious of these included a reprogamming of the gear selector module to fix a fault which caused the car to go into reverse at high speed, affecting cars built before June 2003, and a recalibration of the engine management software to prevent overheating the particulate filter overheating and possibly catching fire, affecting diesel models built between April 2005 and March 2007. Before buying, it's worth checking that any recalls your car may need have been carried out using the DVSA website.
advertisment
scroll for more
What are the most common problems with a used Jaguar XJ?
The Jaguar XJ's air suspension has been known to give problems. Compressors have a relatively short service life and cost around £300 to replace; shock absorbers also give way, though less regularly.
XJs are renowned for suffering from corrosion, which is quite a feat given that they’re made from aluminium. The problem is thought to be the steel rivets which bind the aluminium body together; the interaction of the two metals creates corrosion in the aluminium panel, which is already affecting some cars and can cause problems further down the line.
Diesel versions feature particulate filters that need to be cleaned out. Fortunately, they do this themselves, but need a run at motorway speeds every couple of weeks in order to be able to do this. So, if your driving is mainly around town, you'll probably be better off with a petrol model.
Is a used Jaguar XJ reliable?
Those complex electronics can create foibles, but mechanically the XJ should be reasonably dependable. Jaguar’s cars are historically reliable, and according to the What Car? Reliability Index, the XJ suffers fewer expensive faults than the Mercedes S-Class. That said, the BMW 7 Series looks to fare a touch better.
advertisment
scroll for more
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Jaguar XJ
3.2 XJ8 Executive 4dr
£1,200
Jaguar XJ
4.0 Sovereign LWB Saloon 4dr
£1,950
Jaguar XJ
3.2 XJ8 Executive 4dr
£1,995
Jaguar XJ
2.7 TDVi Sovereign 4dr
£2,499
Jaguar XJ
3.6 XJ8 SE 4dr
£3,500
Jaguar XJ
2.7 TDVi Executive 4dr
£3,890
Jaguar XJ
4.0 Sovereign LWB Saloon 4dr
£4,000
Jaguar XJ
3.6 XJ8 Sport 4dr
£4,494
Jaguar XJ
2.7 TDVi Sovereign 4dr
£4,495
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: Stuart Milne
Title: Digital editor
Follow Stuart Milne on
Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.
News & Advice
Best of
Best used luxury cars for £25,000
Luxury cars are all about sumptuous interiors, cosseting rides and sublime refinement. Here are our top 10 used luxury cars you can buy for £25k
Mon Aug 24 2026
Sponsored
Best used luxury cars for £10,000
Lavish interiors, cushy rides and limo-esque space are the calling cards of great luxury cars. With just £10k to play with, here are our top 10 recommendations
Wed Feb 19 2025
Slideshow
25 most reliable cars
Some cars stand out as paragons of dependability, while others frustrate with a series of faults. Here we reveal the most reliable models up to five years old
Sponsored
Most and least reliable older cars: luxury cars
We name the most dependable – and most troublesome – used cars aged from six to 20 years old, based on owners’ experiences
Mon Jul 3 2023
See all latest advice