2002 Jaguar X-Type Classic review from UK and Ireland

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.

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.