A used Jaguar XJS is a fair buy when the cooling system is healthy, the body is solid and the old recalls are documented, because these 1975-1996 grand tourers fail on neglect more than on bad design. Wikipedia's Jaguar XJ-S entry covers the V12 coupe and convertible plus the later AJ6 six-cylinder cars. On Nov. 5, 2026, the NHTSA recall API showed XJS-era campaigns that include fuel-tank vapor pressure (90V123000), cruise-control valves (90V035000), ignition high-tension lead routing (92V009000), seat-belt reel lockup (93V179000), underhood engine cable contact (91V155000) and an emissions vapor campaign (89V168000). A Fram replacement fuel-filter campaign (06E043000) also appears on some 1990s cars.
Which XJS you are looking at
Early cars are V12 automatics with the pre-HE and HE engines. Mid-cycle cars added the AJ6 3.6 and later 4.0 six. Facelift cars from the early 1990s tightened up the interior and electrics. Confirm the engine by the VIN and under-hood stamps before you pay V12 money for a six, or coupe money for a tired convertible. Our X-Type guide, XE guide and Jaguar recall check cover nearby Jaguar homework if you are cross-shopping.
Recalls that still matter
Clear the fuel-tank, cruise-control and ignition-lead campaigns first, then the seat-belt reel. Print the VIN results from NHTSA and ask for proof of repair. A car that overheated once can warp heads on the V12, so cooling history matters as much as the recall paper. Look for invoices that show radiator, water pump, hoses and thermostats done as a set, not one part at a time.
Rust and mechanical checks
Inspect rear arches, sills, floor pans, the front subframe mounts and the convertible rear-deck drains. V12 cars hate neglected cooling and oil leaks; sixes are simpler but still need a careful idle and smoke check. Get a pre-purchase inspection at a Jaguar specialist with a cooling-system pressure test and a scan for stored faults on later cars.
Living with an XJS
Parts are still available through specialists, which is why so many XJS cars survive. Prefer a car with invoices from one shop over a cheaper car with no paper. Our service records gap guide helps you read a thin file. Plan on premium fuel, patience on cold starts and a real budget for rubber and electrics.
When to walk away
- Evidence of past overheating with no head inspection.
- Open fuel-tank, cruise or ignition recalls with no repair proof.
- Structural rust at arches, sills or subframe mounts.
- A V12 price on a six-cylinder VIN.
Questions to ask the seller
- Which engine and body style is this by the VIN?
- When was the cooling system last fully refreshed?
- Were the fuel-tank and cruise-control recalls addressed?
- Has the title ever been branded?
Reading the history on a decades-old car
Do not expect a long service log. Records from the 1970s and 1980s were often never reported, so the report matters most for title brands, odometer readings at title transfers and registration gaps by state. A car that moved from a coastal or rust-belt state to a dry one may have been retitled; look at the dates and ask why. An approved NMVTIS check adds salvage and junk records from insurers and recyclers. If the odometer readings go backward or the car shows as exempt, ask for the paper trail before you price it. Our odometer discrepancy guide explains what those entries mean.
Private-sale paperwork
Most cars like this sell privately. Make sure the name on the title matches the seller ID, the VIN on the title matches the plate and the stamping on the car, and any old lien is released in writing. Our lien release guide walks through that step. Pay by a traceable method, get a dated bill of sale, and do not accept an open title signed by someone who is not present.
How to price it
Clean six-cylinder cars, sorted V12 coupes and documented convertibles sit in different markets. Compare recent sales of the same engine and body, then subtract cooling work and a specialist inspection.
What the report costs
As of early November 2026 a CARFAX bought direct usually costs around $44.99, and AutoCheck sits a little lower. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Our guest price has been about $5.50 a report, about $4.50 for members, and about $6.75 for a CARFAX and AutoCheck bundle. Confirm the price at checkout, since it can change.
On a car this old, read the report for title brands and odometer readings first; service entries are often thin.
Sources
- NHTSA recall lookup (API checked Nov. 5, 2026)
- Jaguar XJ-S, Wikipedia
- NMVTIS
- Odometer rollback signs
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