Used car buying guide: Jaguar XFR

Just enough chilli powder was sprinkled over the standard Jaguar XF cockpit to give it a tasty kick. You will find stitched leather, strategically placed R badges and a red-needled speedometer that doesn’t stop until 190mph.

The infamous pulsating start button, rising gear selector and rotating air vents still feature too, thankfully. Could this lack of bespoke detail be a disadvantage? That entirely depends on your tastes. You could also complain that the infotainment looks outdated or that fuel economy isn’t its strong suit, but do those things really matter in such a machine? 

The XFR shows that Britain can build a super-saloon to fight Europe’s best, growl like a big cat, be as accessible as a pair of trainers and be as refined as the standard model. In short, it’s as close to perfection as second-hand performance machinery comes.

What we said then

27 May 2009: “Five-star road test verdicts are pretty rare in this business, but the XFR deserves one more [star] than just about any car we can think of right now. It’s a quite extraordinary machine, and what defines it most obviously is its vast, almost never-ending range of attributes. On one hand it plays the role of refined mile-eater at least as well as any so-called luxury car, and on the other it has sufficient raw dynamic ability to drop a BMW M5 in a heartbeat.”

An owner's view

Jordan Mansfield: “Living with the XFR is what most people would imagine it to be. As a JLR product, it inherently has everything synonymous with the brand: style, power and problems. With only a few simple cosmetic adjustments over the standard XF, it’s ubiquitous unless you really do know what you’re looking for. The engine and exhaust note are where everything turns on its head and the party comes to life, especially if encouraged by a slight upgrade. This XFR is a great blend of power and practicality for daily life – if you can suffer the maintenance of a JLR car.”

Buyer beware

Fuel leak: Some cars, particularly those from 2010 and 2011, develop fuel leaks from the tank’s outlet pipe. This can be exacerbated by rust forming on the connecting edge of the pipe, which meant Jaguar had to recall some cars. Ensure this connection is checked over before buying. 

Suspension: Owners have reported failure of the rear suspension’s upper control arms. This is detectable through the steering meandering, the steering wheel vibrating and excessive clunking noises coming from the rear.

Timing chain: There is a common issue of the V8’s timing chain jumping, due to some of the materials wearing excessively. Telltale signs are a rattle on cold starts or a warning about restricted performance on the dashboard.

Water pump: These are known to fail after as few as 20,000 miles. This is caused by coolant corroding the water pump bearing, and it can lead to excessive wear of other components. Watch out for traces of coolant leaking around the water pump and/or a warning message about a low coolant level.

Hoses and pipes: Many of these are made of plastic that can crack and fail, allowing coolant fluid to leak out. Replacing one at a time can be an exhaustive process, so we recommend doing all of them if one needs doing.

Wheels: Those 20in alloys may look fantastic, but such size and low-profile tyres combine to make them easy to kerb. Check over all four wheels before you buy, as this can give a sign as to how well the car has been looked after. Any really significant scrapes could signify damage to the suspension.