Models · Jaguar
Jaguar XK8 / XKR X100 buying guide
The first V8 XK, built from 1996 to 2006 as a coupé and convertible, with the 4.0 AJ-V8 until 2002 and the 4.2 after that, in XK8 and supercharged XKR forms. Its known faults are well documented and most can be checked at a viewing.
The versions
- XK8 4.0 (1996 to 2002): 4.0 AJ-V8, 294bhp, five-speed ZF automatic
- XKR 4.0 (1998 to 2002): supercharged 4.0 V8, 370bhp
- XK8 4.2 and XKR 4.2 (2002 to 2006): 4.2 V8, 300bhp and 400bhp, with a six-speed automatic
- Coupé and convertible bodies, automatic only
What to check on a X100 XK8
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Engine history on early 4.0 cars
What to look for: Ask whether the engine is original or has been replaced, and look for the paperwork either way. On the drive, note any rough running or misfiring, and ask how much oil the car uses. A compression test settles any doubt.
Why it matters: Early 4.0 engines had Nikasil-coated cylinder bores, which could wear on the higher-sulphur UK petrol of the time, causing high oil use, low compression and eventually failure. Many were replaced under warranty, and Jaguar switched to steel liners around 2000, so every 4.2 has them. An original Nikasil engine that has survived this long is generally fine on today's fuel.
A rattle from cold
What to look for: Start the engine from fully cold and listen at the front of the engine. A rattle in the first seconds after starting is the thing to note. Look in the history for upgraded timing chain tensioners and guides.
Why it matters: Early AJ-V8 tensioners and guides were partly plastic and can wear, letting the chains go slack. A slack chain can jump a tooth, which risks valve damage, so a cold-start rattle needs looking at before purchase. Jaguar revised the parts, and a car with the later metal-backed tensioners fitted, with invoices, is a sign of a careful owner.
Front floorpan and chassis leg corrosion
What to look for: From underneath, look at the floor below each front footwell, the chassis legs where they rise ahead of the rear axle, and the rear suspension mounting points. Through the front wheelarches, look at the chassis legs behind the subframe turrets. Check the front of each sill behind its cover and mudflap, and feel the front carpets for damp.
Why it matters: Water gets trapped under the front footwells, which is the best-known corrosion spot on these cars, and repairs there mean stripping the interior. The sills and chassis legs collect road dirt behind covers where it isn't seen. Surface marks are normal at this age; soft or holed metal means welding, and repair panels are available.
Also in the full guide
- Gearbox shifts and fluid
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the X100 XK8
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Jaguar.