went a bought a 2013 XJL sight unseen from an online used car dealer here in Canada. Bit of an impulse, as I sold my CTS-V manual Wagon this week, and have no car.

Now, I do have 7 days to change my mind, but have scheduled her in with my mechanic for an inspection on Monday.

What should we be particularly concerned and look out for?

What are known problems, or things that the group has experience with, and any other pointers

thx in advance everyone.

Ken./

 

I still love my 2013 XJ. Details are in my signature.

Your Public Profile is useless for us to help you, but at least you told us that you're in Canada - but not where. And you didn't give us any useful information about your 2013 XJL. Did you buy it from a Jaguar dealer? Which engine? How many miles and previous owners? Any service records? Locations? Accidents? CarFax or similar report? Owners Handbooks? Both Smartkeys? I could go on and on and ...

What could possibly go wrong with a 9 year old used car?

Is your mechanic knowledgeable and experienced with the Jaguar X351 and the proprietary Jaguar diagnostic hardware and software? If so, he should start by pulling all the stored DTCs and resolve those faults before doing the mechanical inspection.

If there is a Jaguar dealer in your area, I recommend that you pay that dealer to do a PPI to the Jaguar Select Certified Pre-Owned standards. That includes a 120 point checklist that goes over the car's mechanical and electronic systems and includes an estimate of recommended repairs. You can use those recommendations to negotiate a lower price from the seller.

Similarly, I would also pay a body shop that is certified by Jaguar to do aluminum chassis and body repairs to perform a PPI for damage repairs and paintwork.

You can easily search this Forum for buying advice. Go to Google and enter "Jaguar X351 Forums" followed by what you're looking for, such as "2013 buying advice" or "2013 engine problems".

Good Luck!

 

Hi Stuart,

You are right, in my excitement I missed a few details.

I am in the Toronto area of Ontario.

She is a 2013 Portfolio 3.0 awd
135k km
No accidents, no paint overspray I can see, or any obvious signs. Panel gaps are good, no misaligned doors, or trunk.
Car fax checked out, no accidents, but gap in service history for the past 2 years. So full fluids at the very least asap. Last listed dealer service was 90k km
But seems to have lived most of her life in Alberta, and serviced an non Jag dealers in Edmonton
2 Smart Keys came with the car
Not a CPO, online dealer, yes cheap as chips CAD$21k Canada Drives Mass sales, low margin not perfect cars, but price is fair.
My mechanic I have used for years, on my Caddy, even worked on my TVR Tuscan. I trust them, independent, but not a JLR dealer. They will do a PPI on it on Monday morning.
I used my ODBCII reader, not stored codes, but my mechanic will also check with a proper scanner.
She drives well, handles well, quiet. There is one rattle, can''t pin point it. Might be a door card, but will have to do more investigation once she is up on the lift.
All the electronics work, seats, massage, GPS, Bluetooth etc etc

Kinda surprised for the money how tidy it is.

 

Any used car over 9 years old is a crapshoot.

 

I own a 2001 TVR Tuscan, that my friend was a learning experience lol!!!

But you are 100% correct, even the PPI can only do so much. Will check for head gasket leaks, change the fluids, and obvious suspension issues.

the tires need a balance, I can feel a slight front end balance vibration, but will check for play.

I will be honest, for $21k, its well worth the gamble. + I can always return her before next Friday. But so far, it seems alike a solid option for the next year or 2 until an electric option becomes reasonable & available.

 

Check the water pump area and see when the last time the water pump was changed, as well as all the plastic coolant pipes around the engine. That's the #1 thing with these cars...

 

I already let me mechanic know, that I want him to replace all those and the pump as preventative, as I have been unable to find out when it was last changed.

I factored this cost into my thinking ahead of time, and think it is probably a prudent move.

 

I disagree. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! First thing is to have your mechanic visually inspect the pump area for trails of dried antifreeze. If there isn't any and you're still skeptical, have him do a pressure test.

Forum member Cee Jay on the X150 Forum has around 100,000 miles on his 5.0L 2010 XKR and still has the original water pump. The 5.0L and 3.0L engines use the same water pump.

Water pump failure comes with advance warning if you do one simple thing every time you exit your car - stand in front of the grille and sniff for the tell-tale aroma of anti-freeze. That's why I had my dealer check my XJ, and he replaced the water pump under warranty.

 

Thx I will do that, and not change anything until she has ben inspected.

She looks good so far, no obvious signs of a leak.

One thing i discovered today to my disappointment....No XM Satellite radio WTH! I know it seem archaic, but a lot of places I drive have no cell coverage, XM has been a boon. This was a shock to me. I will search the forums to see if I can add in an XM module and switch over my subscription.

She is a lovely car to drive, especially highway, smooth relaxing, and pretty good on gas

 

This is the single-most important factor in determining the condition (and therefore fair price) of this car.
Does your "experienced and trusted" mechanic know that a common source of a rattle in the X351 is a poorly designed sunroof? Parts required to fix: $28 Labor: 8 hours. Or will he assume that tightening and lubricating the mechanism will cure the problem, as it does with most other vehicles? Do you want to be the guy who pays your mechanic to learn how to repair and maintain the XJ?

 

Happy to use an independent who does if you have some good options in the GTA if you have some. Burlington or on the way to Barrie

I thought Satellite radio was standard in these cars, there is not option in the audio menu to select SAT

 

Suggest you add your vehicle to your signature. That makes it easier for those of us who want to respond to your posts. Regarding the Sat radio. I have owned XKs from 2008-2013 and a 2018 XJR all of which came with a Sat radio. I would be quite surprised if your XJ doesn't have the option. My recently bought 2018 XJR came from Alberta originally. Check your owner's manual. If you don't have one, I think you should be able to find a link to a downloadable version in the stickies at the top of this Forum.

 

All very good advice above!

My suggestion is be aware we now have lifetime Aluminum cooling pipes available from the aftermarket to replace the terrible plastic crap Jaguar installed. So if you do need to replace them consider the upgraded parts. Now with the miles on your car I would bet the water pump and plastic cooling parts have already been replaced? Any chance you can get service info on the car?

Also that CTS-V wagon with a manual was a unicorn! Will you be satisfied with a 3.0 V-6 after coming from a monster like the CTS-V wagon?

SAT radio was standard in my 2014 XJR? Not sure when they started installing it?
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Thx, I read about the Aluminum pipes, defiantly a must do when the time comes.

The CTS-V, was my 3rd. After 10 years, it was time for a change, and the market price was kinda nuts for them, so time for someone else to love her, and I was piling on the miles without getting to really push her. Speed trap central in Ontario these days. I will admit I will probably never be able to afford to buy one ever again in the future. The Jaguar is a different beast, but so comfortable, and the Long wheelbase version I picked up is a favorite with the rear passengers now.

The option for SAT radio is disable in the hidden menu, I will swingy the local Jag dealer when I have time and see if they can activate or diagnose whey it is off inside the system. Also, see if they can dig up the service history. Otherwise, it will be for me to ensure everything is top top. But so far, extremely happy & surprised at the car especially for CAD$20k, absolute bargain. Same price as a new Elantra.

 

Unless you have the supercharged 5.0, I don't believe aluminum coolant pipes are an option other than the short pipe between the coolant pump and the oil cooler.
The NA only has the OEM plastic 'heater manifold' in the back of the engine, and the front pipe.

 

I thought all the 3.0L engines were SC in the XJ?
Good point that the NA engines use a different setup. The good news is the vendor is now on the forum and has stated the NA versions are coming!
Also some hints that the rear water manifold is also in the works.
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I believe you are correct, all the 3.0 are SC'ed

 

Ah jeez - I'm sorry folks. I was thinking 5.oL, not the 3.0L.
It's great to hear that the supplier is working on getting out durable cooling pipes for the NA, really looking forward to it.
I did just buy a set of replacements for my wife's XJ (or my Range Rover, which ever I replace first), but looking forward to them being available when they do come available.

Thanks for the good news!!