Jaguar XK8 - Pictures

Automatic box is sealed for life, so its oil can’t be renewed or its level checked. Take any car you’re considering for a decent test drive – ensure all the fluids are up to temperature – and make sure it change

Chain tensioners are known to let go, wrecking the engine in the process. Spend £1,000 on new chains and tensioners if the car is still on its originals as a precaution – the powerplant can sound healthy right up to the end

Check that the alloys haven’t been badly kerbed – it’s easily done and they’re expensive to replace or refurbish. If the car is fitted with optional 20-inch three-piece rims, it can cost more than £3,000 t

The Achilles Heel of early XK8s is the engine, which can self-destruct due to high levels of sulphur in petrol. This affects cars built before 2000 – wear may have occurred, but most affected engines have been replaced by now