04/10/2026
Thinking of buying an XJS?? A little advice…
Launched in 1975, the XJS was not a sports car then & it’s not a sports car now, it’s a true grand tourer ‘par excellence’.
An elegant smooth gentleman’s express, the Jaguar XJS just gets better & better looking with age in our opinion.
The XJS was born a classic & born to be beautiful, ahead of its time in so many ways.
It took the public a decade or more to catch up with its styling & appreciate its understated excellence.
The XJS soothes you with smoothness & serenity, cossets you in a cocooned quietness, there’s an abundance of effortless power & it’s impressive, a magic carpet ride awaits you & a sumptuous luxury interior invites you.
They have an unbelievable ability to soak up the bumps!
The V12 versions are obviously the ultimate status symbol, they go like a big cat but they also drink like big cats & can extract £50 notes from your wallet at a rate that’s simply eye watering. The six cylinder engines are still powerful & smooth & a lot easier to live with overall. Don’t loose your head & overlook these versions especially the 4.0 AJ16 variants as they are an excellent power-plant.
If money is no object then go for the V12, this engine is one of the world’s best ever engines. Turbine like propulsion, silky smooth power delivery, rapid acceleration. The quietness of these engines is just simply uncanny. They do need to have been extremely well looked after to be a purchase contender, in fact it needs to have better looked after than a new born baby.
Oil changes, coolant changes, belts, spark plugs, air filters, check the inboard rear brakes - they are a heavy machine. Make sure the car pulls up straight, if it doesn’t a brake caliper could be sticking. The early and later automatic transmissions are built proof if they get regular oil & filter changes - once a blue moon just won’t cut it!
Be warned, especially if you’ve just had a new block paved driveway laid, the V12’s will mark there territory in several places, leak free examples are generally unheard of…
It’s a good idea to invest in an extra large drip tray.
There sensational, sensual body shape make them still in 2026 an extraordinarily beautiful car. Values are rising fast now year on year but they are still just about in reach & justifiable, our advise is don’t buy cheap, don’t buy rust, buy low mileage & low ownership with comprehensive up to date maintenance files.
Maintenance spares are in good supply for most of the XJS model range. Interior & exterior trims are getting increasingly hard to acquire. Cabin veneers are expensive to replace or restore, leather seats are usually pretty robust but be aware the seat style in the Celebration models are different from others & rare to find in nice used condition.
Dropping headliners can be annoying & dangerous in such a small cabin, be prepared to pay £600 + VAT for a premium one fitted. Don’t buy the cheap headliners from eBay or you’ll buy twice in the end & be well out of pocket.
Early headlights are difficult to find if you have a holed or cracked one, twin headlight US style options are available but expensive. Good straight used condition chrome / rubber front & rear bumpers are getting hard to acquire now. If your windscreen is damaged beyond repair - make sure your sat down comfortably as the invoice for that with rubbers, fitting & VAT could touch £650!
Buy a good one & you’ll still have the bargain of the century, buy a bad one & you’ll consider taking a bath with an electric fire for sure. You’ve been warned!
Ford ownership of Jaguar in 1989/90 made a big difference in subsequent years, the stage 1 facelift XJS’s are a sensible choice too, again the 4.0 straight six was a great engine, it was the AJ6 variant at this point in time. This engine was launched in the XJ40 saloon (1986), the engine enjoyed great success, reliability & longevity. Regular oil & coolant changes are key to life expectancy.
Most XJS coupe’s now in the marketplace under £20k won’t be what you want them to be.
Prices of all XJS models have risen remarkably in recent years, even bad ones. If you’re after a convertible you’ll have to aim higher than £20k for a proper sorted mint example.
Our advice if your budget will stretch is a low mileage, 1995-1996 4.0 AJ16 Celebration coupe or convertible. These are very desirable, reliable, more affordable to run & values consistently stay strong. Prices for this model can reach dizzy heights if they are absolutely split mint & low mileage (45,000 miles or less) ranging from £25k to £45k - coupe & convertible.
The XJS is still a very special place to be in, be seen in & it still deserves its rightful place in the upper echelons of cardom.
* Remember, we offer a comprehensive inspection & valuation service, if you find a car you like then call us. You can commission us to fully appraise the vehicle before or after you buy & we’ll give you a detailed written report with accurate costs for any recommissioning work needed.
Tel: 07759 938395
www.themaltonmotorcompany.co.uk
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