Jaguar X-Type (2001 to 2009)

The X-Type was Jaguar's attempt to compete with the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4, and the smallest Jaguar of its time. Built at Halewood on Merseyside under Ford ownership, it was based on a heavily re-engineered version of the Mondeo platform, but at launch in 2001 every car had four-wheel drive and a V6 petrol engine, which set it apart from its Ford relation. Front-wheel-drive versions, diesels and an estate followed, and a 2008 facelift brought a long list of detail changes. Production ended in 2009 when Halewood was turned over to the Range Rover Evoque.

The X-Type rides comfortably and handles neatly, and the all-wheel-drive cars are surefooted, though testers found them more secure than sporty. The cabin has traditional Jaguar wood and leather on most trims, and the estate is a practical, good-looking load carrier. Early reliability and build quality were criticised and warranty claims were high in the first years, but later cars are better built. Sales never reached the volumes Ford hoped for, yet Haynes describes the X-Type as Jaguar's best seller over its production run.

For buyers today the X-Type is an inexpensive way into a Jaguar, but many cars have had minimal maintenance. The key worries are sill rust hidden behind trim, the four-wheel-drive transfer box, and recall work.

• Years: 2001 to 2009 (some sources run to 2010 registrations).
• Body styles: four-door saloon; five-door estate from 2004.
• Petrol engines (Drives Today figures): 2.1 V6 badged 2.0, 2099cc, about 157bhp (front-wheel drive); 2.5 V6, about 194bhp; 3.0 V6, 2967cc, about 231bhp (both four-wheel drive).
• Diesel engines: 2.0, 1998cc, about 128bhp; 2.2, 2198cc, about 152bhp. Both front-wheel drive.
• Gearboxes: five-speed manual and five-speed automatic; six-speed automatic option for the 2.2 diesel from the 2008 facelift. The 2.0 diesel was manual only.
• Four-wheel drive: separate transfer box with a viscous coupling and a rear-biased torque split.
• Production: Classics World gives 355,227 cars.

• 2001: saloon launched with 2.5 and 3.0 V6 and four-wheel drive.
• Late 2001 to 2002: front-wheel-drive 2.1 V6 (badged 2.0). Sources give dates between December 2001 and 2003.
• 2003: 2.0 diesel, front drive and manual only.
• 2004: estate added.
• 2.2 diesel: Auto Express gives 2004, Haynes 2005 and Classics World and Drives Today 2007. It replaced the 2.0 diesel.
• 2007: equipment revisions.
• 2008: facelift with a mesh grille, revised bumpers, sills and mirrors with repeaters, new trim, Bluetooth option and an automatic for the 2.2 diesel.
• 2009: production ended.

Bodywork and structure

• Sills are the main concern. They sit behind plastic covers whose clips often break, so a seller may be reluctant to remove them. Prod along the sill bottoms and check the MoT history for corrosion advisories.
• Bumper skins and clips work loose; usually a simple refit.
• Paintwork is generally durable and polishes well; dull or mismatched panels suggest repairs.
• Headlamp adjusters break, leaving the lamp loose and aiming badly. Lenses go cloudy.

Engine

• V6 petrols: a permanent engine warning light is often an oxygen sensor; the rear one is hard to reach. Rear bank spark plugs are awkward and are sometimes skipped at services.
• Oil leaks are common. A smell of oil through the heater can point to a failing crankshaft seal.
• A rumble from the crankshaft pulley damper is a warning sign; failure can wreck the engine.
• Diesels: high-pressure fuel pump, injector and dual-mass flywheel faults; stalling or poor starting; ancillary belt problems linked to the crank pulley.
• A slow-rising temperature gauge suggests a faulty thermostat.

Gearbox and drivetrain

• Manual and automatic gearboxes are both regarded as robust. The manual is the nicer gearbox to use.
• The four-wheel-drive transfer box holds very little oil and has no drain plug, so a small leak can leave it dangerously low. Look for oil around the transfer box and ask whether the level has been checked.
• Whirring or grinding from under the middle of the car is usually the propshaft centre bearing.

Suspension, steering and brakes

• Front creaks mean worn top mounts or broken springs.
• Brake calipers seize; check for uneven disc wear and pulling.
• ABS warning lights may be a sensor, but the rear trigger rings are bonded to the driveshafts, so a persistent fault can mean a new shaft.
• Recalls covered the handbrake (some cars rolled away), anti-roll bar bushes, and a yaw rate sensor linked to unexpected braking. Confirm they have been done.

Electrics and interior

• Check every warning light comes on and goes out. Brake control and engine control units are known failure points.
• Poor heater airflow is often a blocked cabin filter under the scuttle trim.
• Driver's seat bolsters wear on high-mileage cars.
• Early cars have a cassette stereo with no auxiliary input; check aftermarket radios have been fitted neatly.

Identity and paperwork

• Check the drive type matches the badge and V5C. A 2.0 badge on a petrol car means the front-drive 2.1 V6, not a four-wheel-drive car.
• Sport and Sovereign trims are easy to imitate with wheels and badges; check the VIN and equipment.
• Ask a Jaguar dealer to confirm outstanding recalls.

Parts supply is good and inexpensive thanks to the Ford connection, and many independent garages and Jaguar specialists will work on the X-Type. Repair panels for the sills are available. The Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club (https://jec.org.uk/) and the Jaguar Drivers' Club (https://www.jaguardriver.co.uk/) both cater for modern Jaguars with forums, technical advice and regional events.

• Have the sills been inspected behind the covers, and have any repairs been made?
• Has the transfer box oil been checked or changed, and are there any drive noises?
• Have all recall campaigns been completed?
• Is there a service history showing regular oil changes and, on diesels, injector or flywheel work?
• Are any warning lights currently on?