| The Exterior |
Dimples in tops of front fenders
Missing hubcaps and emblems
Dings, dents, etc.
Headlight chrome, tail light lenses
Spare tire and jack (in bag) |
Check the
Hood: |
Alignment proper ____________
Edges chipped ____________
Closes properly ____________
Hood Pins tight in hood __________
Releases evenly ____________
Stress cracks ____________ esp. at LH hinge mount
XJS: Hood shocks – will they hold the hood open? Part # BD48027 |
| Body Rust |
Generally, southern climates away from the ocean should have little rust,
while northern climates will be more susceptible to rust due to salting in winter.
Especially vulnerable areas are the rear wheel arches and the front of the rocker panel. All
Sedans: Leaking windshields and plugged A/C drains lead to rusted floorpans.
Remove the mats and check them thoroughly. New floorpans are available from JCI.
Series III Sedans: The glued-in windshield gasket design causes rust at the
lower lip of the windshield or behind the lower lip of the rear windscreen.
XJS: The body seam to the rocker panel behind the door and around the
taillights. |
Under the
Hood |
Brake bottle nipples
Leaky master cylinder (front of booster wet)
Battery: Take note or test the battery condition. It may crank a Jaguar perfectly but will
not have enough OOMPH to crank a V8, especially on a cold morning.
A/C Fittings: If fittings are oily they may have been overtightened.
A/C Evaporator: One of the most difficult jobs and explanation is when the hose
connections for the evaporator are damaged/leaking. The fittings should protrude straight
out of the firewall then turn 90ç up. If they are bent or oily, note it. If you
find them cracked, kinked or leaking, the evaporator must be removed for repair. Trying to
weld them in the car is extremely dangerous as it is possible to set the firewall
insulation on fire (inside the dash).Cruise control actuator - there or missing? |
Key on –
Engine off: |
Oil Light ____________ should be illuminated
Ignition Light ___________ should be illuminated
Brake Warning Lamp ____________ if "on" try shifting to "D" with hand
brake off
Parking Brake Lamp ____________ pull hand brake to test
Tach _____________ should read "0" RPM
Start Mileage ____________ |
Guages &
Electrics |
Turn signal operation including dash indicators
Hazard switch – 90% are broken
Brake lights – more LUCAS parts
Headlamps – low beam (dash light off Y/N) – high beam (indicator on Y/N)
Horn __________
Wipers __________ swipe - inttermittant (some models) - low - high
Park Position __________ Squirters __________
Fuel Level – Left ____________ Right ____________Window and door
switch operation (rears also)
Sunroof opens/shuts
Mirrors: Left and Right
Turn Radio on: Radio Y/N Aerial Y/N (1980 on should go up when radio
turned on)
A windshield slimy on the inside can indicate a leaking heater core
Damaged or worn interiors, headliners, carpet, etc. |
Start the
Car |
Tachometer Operation ______________
Speedometer Operation ___________ smooth over 10 MPH
Engine Temperature ______________
Oil Pressure ____________ – dash light off Y/N
Alternator Charge ____________ – dash light off Y/N |
Test Drive
look fors: |
A/C Cold ____________ Center Vent (1974 on) opens ____________
Heater Hot ____________ Center Vent (1974 on) closes ____________
Defrost ____________Cruise Control Works ____________ Resume ________ Off
w/brakes __________
Steering Vague – Rack Bushings, steering coupler, etc.
Horn honks on turns or bumps
Rattles and Clunks
Hood pops up on irregular surfaces (common problem)
Brake Pedal – soft or sinks – people often add the wrong brake fluid which
causes failures – only use Castrol Girling or Silicone Dot 5 fluid
Brake shimmy
Exhaust System ailments
Ending Mileage ___________ Difference matches trip odometer? Yes/No |
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