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Hi,
I recently sold my Citroen C4 petrol (55reg) to make way for a diesel for my new commute. It needed to be large enough for our little'un as well so I started looking at saloon range cars, Audi A4, Peugeot 407 etc. So I came across a Jag X Type which fits the bill and I have always always wanted a Jag.
My concern is that the ad states "Part Service History", and when quizzed on the phone the trader said that it was stamped at 9000 and 26000. It is now on 56000. I'm guessing this explains the low price of £4995. I'm test driving it tonight and was wondering if anyone had any advice on what to look out for and questions to ask about the car.
It looks in top condition aesthetically, but if interested I would be demanding a full service and MOT prior to sale. Is there anything else I can do or should I just stay well away? thanks, Ed
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was wondering if anyone had any advice on what to look out for and questions to ask about the car.
The obvious question to ask is "why is there no indication of anything having been done for the last 30,000 miles"
It looks in top condition aesthetically,
Ok, maybe it's been polished in those 30,000 miles
Stay away. Or you'll be back here telling us you've bought a lemon.
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+1 to the above. With any modern diesel I'd want a full dealer service history, unless you fancy making a VERY sporting bid based on the service gaps.
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Especially with a diesel luxury car, 30,000 miles without a service is just asking for trouble and also when you come to sell it, people will ask the same about the missing service history.
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Ok, so its only been stamped then, but it doesn't mean its not had any other services... many owners don't bother with stamps when the car's outside it warranty period...
Ask them for more detail... speak to the previous owner... you can get a log book updated if you can prove when the last (unrecorded) services took place...
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Is it Much cheaper than book?
If not, why waste your time.. If priced at market, it's the seller's problem.
If it's cheap, worth looking at.
Personally as the seller can't be bothered to find out the history in an attept to sell it, I would go elsewhere...or make a stupid low offer.
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>>I have always always wanted a Jag<<
Why not wait until you can afford a proper one then? Rather than a Ford with a rather dubious past? XFs won't be expensive forever...
Edited by mike hannon on 09/07/2010 at 17:24
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Another way of putting the service history is:-
2 x oil changes in 6/7 years.....hmmm and its a diesel with only 2 oil changes...
nice.....
I'm thinking of thick oil, against turbos that like to be well serviced and fresh clean oil....
.
hmmm
Paul.
Edited by Paul G1pdc on 09/07/2010 at 17:50
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The engine in it will be the Ford Mondeo 2.0 diesel, so it's not a 'luxury car' engine as far as running costs go.
The X Type looks good, goes well enough, etc and and usually* has all the goodies for the luxury/executive segment and comes out more than respectably in reliability surveys.
The oil changes bit as mentioned by others would concern me and would need to be checked to ensure it hasn't been totally neglected (as opposed to being done, but outside the dealer network)...and the other thing is does the Classic* model have enough kit in it to warrant buying an executive type car...i.e. there's no point buying the executive car with spa*** trim when you could have a more mainstream type car with a load of kit in it.
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the word blocked out.... was...... s p a r s e
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Classic is poverty spec - you should be able to find a better specced and looked after car for the money.
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thanks to everyone for your comments much appreciated. went for a drive in it today and, whilst the drive was very nice, the gaps in service were definitely cause for concern especially with the dealer's dubious explanation. Also the MOT expired in March, and since its March 09 MOT it had only done another 3000 miles put down to "only used for the school run". So I ran away as fast as my legs would take me.
Good thing is I really enjoyed the car itself so am looking for another but with a rather more transparent history.
Thanks again!
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Good decision, and good luck with the search. There should be plenty of good ones around.
I don't go along with the criticism of the X-type as a tarted-up Mondeo: you could say the same about Audi v. Skoda. I choose to drive a Skoda as I can't justify the extra £6,000 for an Audi with similar mechanicals - but lots of people drive Audis and they can't all be wrong.
I used to have an A4 Avant - yes, it was too expensive and I couldn't afford another, but I loved it. I've done no more than test-drive an X-type, but I would imagine that it gives you a feel-good factor just as an Audi does.
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With respect, there's a bit of a difference between badge engineering in the VAG group and passing off a Ford as a Jaguar. As Ford/Jaguar found out to their cost - you can't fool all of the people all of the time.
Thank goodness Jaguar under Tata is now back on track, making cars with character.
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I'd be interested to know what you see as the difference, Mike. That said, I don't see anything necessarily wrong with either. The X-type wasn't hugely successful, but it was worth a try, and there are quite a lot of satisfied owners out there, not least Westpig and Daveyjp on this forum, who both know a bit about cars and what they like.
I suppose part of the difference in perception may be because VW/Audi hade been together for some years before taking over Skoda, whereas Ford bought Jaguar and the mechanicals from the existing Mondeo were used for the X-type (more so for the 2.0D than the others).
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Hi Mike, I'm unsure what you mean when you say there is a difference between badge engineering @ VAG compared to Ford / Jag. If you mean that VAG do a better job of brand differentiation over Mondeo / X type then I'd agree with you. Certainly there has been a general view that the X type is a tarted up Mondeo. But ........ reliability wise Ford is way ahead of VAG. What VAG have managed to do is to convince the public that their cars are nearly up to Jap standard, whereas in reality it's Ford who are knocking on Toyota's door.
I'd take a 6 year old Jag over a 6 year old Audi any day
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Also I'm not aware of anything in particular mechanically that distinguishes Audi from Skoda ... whereas weren't the engine mounts (and other bits and pieces) altered for the X-Type over the Mondeo?
I'd take a Jag over an Audi as well. Audis are bland boxes in any case, no better to drive than a Kia (well, the early 2000s A4 isn't any better than the Cee'd, put it that way), whereas the Jag, despite some cheap plastics here and there feels like a quality product.
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There were lots of differences between the Mondeo and the X type - by the time the last X type rolled off the production line it had very little in common with the Mondeo it is compared with - IIRC only about 15%.
The 2.0D engine is different to such an extent most Ford main dealers won't touch an X type. Parts aren't interchangeable either.
I had a new Mondeo diesel auto on hire recently and the one area where they save money on Mondeos is in the sound deadening department. The 2.0 PSA engine clattered like a Transit at all speeds and engine temperatures. No such issue with the X type 2.2 Ford unit.
I've had mine a year and it has now done 22,000 miles (8,000 when I bought it). A broken door lock microswitch being the only problem requiring a dealer visit.
For almost half the cost of a similarly specced Audi A4 it was a no brainer. I can see me keeping it many years.
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thanks to everyone for your comments much appreciated. went for a drive in it today and, whilst the drive was very nice, the gaps in service were definitely cause for concern especially with the dealer's dubious explanation. Also the MOT expired in March, and since its March 09 MOT it had only done another 3000 miles put down to "only used for the school run". So I ran away as fast as my legs would take me.
Good thing is I really enjoyed the car itself so am looking for another but with a rather more transparent history.
Thanks again!
Good man, any luxury car esp a diesel with a missing history is just asking for trouble. You'd be better off maybe getting a slightly older one with a full history, pref dealer or specialist, to avoid mega bills. X Types are quite easy to pick up.
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managed to find an 04 reg, slightly higher miles (73k) but full service history from jag dealership it was bought from, only 1 lady owner too. am very happy new jag owner :-) thanks to all for comments
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If you haven't found it there's a very good owners site with lots of tips and advice - www.jaguarforum.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=14.
It may be worth cleaning or renewing the EGR valve - not expensive and can prevent more expensive troubles later on.
If you are close to North Yorkshire and fancy a run out it's the annual Jaguar Enthusiasts Club northern get together at Newby Hall tomorrow.
Edited by daveyjp on 10/07/2010 at 22:07
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thanks daveyjp, unfortunately I'm in Dulwich in London so bit of a trek! Will stick it in the diary for next year though!
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Good luck with your purchase.
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