Advice and opinions sought on F-type I'm eyeing up!

[Wondermint]

Hi all, after a lot of searching and struggling to find an F-type that ticks my boxes and meets my budget, I might have found one!

Not sure if I'm allowed to post a link to Autotrader ad but it's a 2016 V6s in grey (although described as Indigo Waterborne metallic which I've never heard of) with cream leather interior and its up for £34,500. It's only done 22k miles, service history is a bit irregular :-

(1) 08/03/17- 5375 miles- Jaguar Nottingham

(2) 27/03/18- 8113 miles- Jaguar Nottingham

(3) 19/03/19- 10200 miles- Jaguar Lincoln

(4) 28/02/25- 19118 miles- Kwik Fit Wellington

So no service in 6 years but it had only done 9k miles in that time. It's MOT is generally good other than 2020 it failed as all the shock absorbers had serious fluid leaks!

Honestly, I've never bought anything like this before and a bit nervous about taking the plunge especially as it's slightly more than I was looking to pay. The dealer seems ok from it's reviews but would greatly appreciate any comments or opinions.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lord Farquad]

Buying from a dealer provides some good protection. Id expect a very good and comprehensive warranty for that price too.

Have you asked the dealer if they know what the long gap was caused by? I’d be more bothered trust the last service was Kwick Fit than anything else. If it was a Jag specialist or main dealer after a big gap I’d be confident it was up to spec.

 

[MikeM]

Two owners? Looks to me like a first owner kept up with dealer servicing whilst under warranty then the second owner goes totally without for six years… To be followed up by “Kwikfit ” that would have been a very basic service. Personally wouldn’t care what spin the trade dealer gives you they are asking a hefty price. Think this (attached) is the car you are looking at I couldn’t get the MOT info when I used the reg no? Just my personal opinion, that car does look in good condition and the interior is very nice but there are plenty out there that have been cherished and fully maintained irrespective of miles either by JLR or a Jag specialist. If it hasn’t been touched for six years I would want a full Jag specialist inspection and a solid one year non cost limited warranty.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510277444462?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios-app

 

[Yoshuey]

Not an F-type expert by any measure but any car with a 6 year gap regardless of mileage - I would avoid, especially at 35k price tag. I've walked away from plenty of cars with less of an issue than that - the right car eventually comes along.

I walked away from an M2 because they didn't record the running in service correctly within the cars digital service book (saved on the car). I ended up finding a better one owner car, with 10k miles less - and in the exact spec I wanted. And at the time there was literally 5 manual cars for sale.

F-type - a lot more for sale. I think avoid this.

Me personally would go for higher mileage car with service history every year - remember a car that is driven is a healthy car. Cars that just sit most of year - I'd avoid. Cars needs to be used for them to stay in tip top connection

 

[Yoshuey]

saying that - the car looks absolutely beautiful. But I'm sure you could something just as good if you wait 2-3 months.

 

[Wondermint]

Thanks for the comments. Yes that's the one! It's been on a different plate, MOT comes up with H25 SCC.

That's the sort of thing I was thinking of angling for, if it had a Jag service and as you say, a decent warranty, I'd feel a bit more secure. They haven't got back to me regarding the history gap yet. They have sent me a copy of the Kwik Fit service invoice though! Basic service and a couple of tyres is all it shows. After 6 years you'd think you'd want a bit more care, even if it hasn't done many miles.

I do like the look of it though!

 

[cj10jeeper]

The huge service gap would really concern me, coupled with only a basic service and no catch up on the missed items. Four failed shocks shows a complete lack of care and likely some hard or rough driving at some point in its life.
Forget the low mileage in the interim as there’s much more than just mileage. Oil deteriorates over time, brake fluid takes on water, etc.
Unless there is paper evidence you’ve also missed or due shortly a lot of big service items at 9 years old and due at 10 year, covering 2x brake fluid changes, gearbox oil change, diff oil (not on S but do anyway), all belts such as supercharger, and aux belts, 2x spark plugs, lots of filters, etc. etc.
Ask the dealer for the vin and enter here to check missed and future service schedule and key items by year: https://osh.jaguar.com/
I’ve been through that lot over the last few years and estimate roughly you’d need £3k of service work to catch-up. Much more at a proper JLR or indy specialist. Dealer will never sort all this out.
When it comes to resale you’ll be slated on the price for the missed services too.
At that price point I’d think you could do a lot better.

 

[Lord Farquad]

Definitely much safer purchases available at that price point.

You’ll have the pick of best the pre facelift cars.

 

[Wondermint]

Thanks for the advice and comments everyone. It does seem sensible to pass on this one!

The search will continue

 

[false]

I actually bought my F from that dealer and they were very good and seemed to have lots of high quality stock but the prices were a little higher than others.

I would personally pass on this one as a 6 year gap followed by kwik-fit screams to me of a budget approach to care which is not what you want as a new owner.