Be on the lookout for soggy carpeting, excessive condensation on interior windows, and other signs of a water leak, which could be caused by plugged or damaged air conditioner drain tubes. This will typically manifest itself as a leak into the passenger footwell, and apparently results from an improperly designed air conditioner drain system. Interestingly, this is the most common and well-documented issue on these cars. Some owners say that the repair job can be pricey, and requires removal of the dashboard, depending on where the line is blocked. Your local Jaguar dealer will be familiar with the problem and should be able to quickly address it, if signs of a leak are present.

Note that this issue seemed to affect only early copies of the XK. Here’s a helpful guide on fixing the water leak yourself, if you’re so inclined.

Leaks can also be caused by plugged body drain tubes on the convertible model, designed to carry water away from the XK convertible’s cabin and into a drainage pathway to the ground below. In many cases, a plugged drain tube can be cleared with a few blasts of compressed air. Be sure that’s the case. Further, if you’re opting for a convertible, run the power top through its positions several times, and check all rubber seals for signs of cracking, damage, or missing pieces. Check the trunk and rear seat footwells for signs of moisture on any convertible XK.

Confirm proper operation of the navigation system, noting that a calibration procedure may need to be carried out if the system doesn’t seem to be able to locate the car on the map. Other interior checks should include confirming proper operation of the memory seating function, and checking that the leather on the dash isn’t peeling away or pulling back from the windshield area. Check the glovebox for proper operation too, confirming that the latch holds the door shut several times when opening and closing.

Other infrequently-reported issues worth being on the lookout for include bad thermostats and cracked transmission pans. A mechanic can check both of these areas in a matter of minutes on a pre-purchase inspection. A bad thermostat can affect the XK’s ability to get up to operating temperature, and a cracked transmission pan can result in leaks and transmission damage.

Finally, as the XK and XKR are performance cars designed for hard driving, be sure to have a mechanic check the condition and level of all fluids, the tires, and the brakes. Budget for a full fluid change and tune-up if you’re unsure of the model’s service history.

The Verdict: If your budget allows it, your safest bet in a used XK or XKR is a dealer-serviced model sold through a certified pre-owned program. An XK will be more affordable to fuel, maintain and insure than an XKR, and though these machines look surprisingly solid, buying a used model without a mechanical check-over by a trained Jaguar mechanic, as a minimum, is not advised.

Here are a few recalls

Crash Test Results:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

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