Faults:

Window wiper motor went at around 70000 miles.

Boot lock broke at around 68000 miles.

Coil pack and 3 spark plugs failed after a driving through an unavoidable puddle of water.

Air-con packed up at about 65000 miles, quoted £600 to fix.

Both rear speakers blew after around 70000 miles.

General Comments:

Very nice sounding v6 engine.

Nice smooth gear change but not the best auto I've driven.

Very cramped in the rear for such a large family saloon.

Nice size boot.

Base model came with very few gadgets, not even cruise control or steering wheel remote controls.

Petrol consumption around 27 mpg day to day town driving, expected from a 2.0 v6 petrol automatic.

Build quality and paintwork very good.

Faults:

Three stone chips on windscreen on day 1.

Bonnet wouldn’t shut on day 2 – passing mechanic showed me how to re-engage the bonnet clips by ‘pressing right hard using thumbs’.

Coolant system hose blow off and engine fatally overheated on 14th day.

Warranty (not Jaguar dealer) useless.

General Comments:

I bought my first Jag, a 5 year old (2002) X-Type a month ago for £6000 cash. I had two weeks of refined and blissful driving, including motorway driving… I was in Jag heaven. When parking up at my home, shockingly smoke appeared from under the bonnet. I turned the car off and let it cool. Within seconds of restarting the engine it completely overheated and the infamous engine warning light came on.

The car went into the local garage – diagnostics showed a blown off coolant hose and a blown head gasket.

An expensive engine strip down was then done. The head gaskets were in fact as clean as a whistle with no burn marks at all – the damage was inside the main engine. The only possible recommended solution was a New Jaguar engine – yes a brand new one, not reconditioned (£7000+?)

The car is now being scrapped (to salvage) – I’ll probably get £600 for it.

A complete financial disaster – a nightmare which has stopped me from sleeping.

I lost £6000 (90% depreciation) in 2 weeks.

Don’t be taken in by its beauty, the leather/wood elegance of the interior, or even the smoothness of a test drive - don’t ever think about buying a Jag unless it's from a main dealer with years of full manufacturer’s parts and labour to run - I didn’t and paid the price.

Faults:

The only problem I have ever had is that the passenger airbag light stays on occasionally.

General Comments:

I was very apprehensive before buying this car, given the poor reputation of Jaguar, and having read some of the reviews.

There was slightly less that 20K miles on the car when I bought it, and I have slightly more than 30K on it now.

I am very happy with my purchase! I have not had one single problem with the car. It looks great and regularly receives compliments (usually from people who know nothing about cars!!).

I had the Volvo S80 before this, and while it was certainly quicker than the Jag, it certainly wasn't more comfortable. I have also had the E200 Merc, and I wouldn't put them in the same ballpark.

It is a bit heavy on juice, especially around town, but given that I don't do much mileage, this isn't a problem.

I can't comment on the main dealer as I get it serviced by a local non-franchised garage.

Overall, I would have no hesitation in recommending this car. While it is slow from a standing start, it will move well once it gets going.