Does it matter if annual oil services are missed?

[SteveBRX]

Hi,

I'm looking a purchasing a very clean and well spec'd, one owner, XK R-Dynamic 5.0 that has done 28.5k miles (registered Jan 2015) from an independent car dealer (not approved).  Looking at the service history I can see that it is missing some annual services, but covered low miles in between those services.  Please see the attached PDF where I have put everything onto a spreadsheet which makes things a little clearer.

2016 5,976 miles service complete
2017 Service missed
2018 Service missed
2019 18,017 service complete
2020 21,657 service complete
2021 24,472 service complete
2022 service missed
2023 service missed
2024 28,272 awaiting service, mileage from the MOT.  The service will be done at point of sale.

As you might notice, services were missed in 2017/18 and the car covered 12,041 miles between services.  Similarly, services missed in 2022, 2023, and so far to 2024, and the car has covered 3,800 miles during that period. The next service to be carried at point of sale.

In your collective opinion, how big an issue could this be?

Are these engines very reliant on regular annual Oil changes?  My concern would be finding excessive Oil consumption following the purchase as it generally takes a few thousand miles to notice a problem. This would also take me well outside of the 3 month warranty period offered by the vendor.  I also believe that if there was an issue, any warranty wouldn't cover it given the missed service intervals anyway.

Your views would be greatly appreciated.  Many thanks in advance,
Steve

Service and MOT's.pdf

[zipitupuk]

Personally I think ist a case by case situation. How you feeling about the car, you confidence in the car dealer (yes I know that's asking a lot lol, but they are not all bad). Have you taken it out for a long test drive? Have you discussed your apprehensions with the dealer? (He may give you a longer warranty or you can use it negotiate a better price) 

It definitely low milage. I had apprehensions about buying my 2016 XF.....The dealer seemed very nice and there was no pressure. I sent a couple of hours going over everything. 

 

I bought it with 111,000 on it ....it's since had a full service by a friend I have who has his own garage business, and I've also had the transmission serviced (with an Oil flush as well) and I've already done over 2000miles of trouble free, luxury motoring in it, so I'm now beginning to relax and enjoy it because the car I sold previously,I'd had for four and a half years of trouble free motoring with just a yearly service and tyres (I needed an automatic)....I think a lot of it comes down to doing your own due diligence, which you seem to be doing....and the rest is just down to a gut feeling. The rest is in the hands of the gods lol.

Good luck

[N6 JMX]

Hi Steve, as Mark has said above, it really does come down to a personal "feel" for all things considered. The 5 litre engine is VERY robust and reliable, but a gap of 3 years in the servicing (at least twice now, would make me think long and hard. Ideally, the Oil should be changed annually, irrespective of the mileage between service intervals, but nothing much else in the service regime is such an issue.

My mind would think that if the previous owner(s) had skimped on getting the servicing completed - which is not at all a cheap item at a main dealer (circa £600 each visit), what else has been skimped on, so look extremely carefully at all other aspects of the vehicle before committing hard cash into the deal.

With the car at coming on 10 years old, the tyres could be needing changed - 5 years is about it on these cars, irrespective of the tread remaining. The tyres should also be premium branded such as Dunlop Sport Maxx in J, for Jaguar, specification. Check the tyres carefully and if they are mismatched, or not premium, have a rethink. Also check the tyre dates on the sidewall's - refer to the Kwik Fit website for information on that if you are not sure.

Also at 10 years old, the battery could well be due for replacing, again a 5 year interval between battery replacement is a good proactive / preventative maintenance option. Uncover the battery - it's in the boot behind a trim panel depending on coupe or convertible - and if it is still an original Jaguar stickered battery, once again think about the skimping that may have taken place.

These cars have large / expensive brake discs and callipers and with missed servicing regime, the pads could well be seized in the callipers and the discs scored or warped - check on the test drive for any braking issues such as vibration or long pedal.

Often, low mileage cars can be more trouble than a well maintained and cherished high miler - such as Mark has. If you do go ahead with the purchase, I hope you have years of trouble free motoring. They are fantastic machines with Supercar performance at Mondeo money.

N6 JMX

[SteveBRX]

3 hours ago, zipitupuk said:

Personally I think its a case by case situation. How you feeling about the car, you confidence in the car dealer (yes I know that's asking a lot lol, but they are not all bad). Have you taken it out for a long test drive? Have you discussed your apprehensions with the dealer? (He may give you a longer warranty or you can use it negotiate a better price) 

It definitely low mileage. I had apprehensions about buying my 2016 XF.....The dealer seemed very nice and there was no pressure. I sent a couple of hours going over everything. 

 

I bought it with 111,000 on it ....it's since had a full service by a friend I have who has his own garage business, and I've also had the transmission serviced (with an oil flush as well) and I've already done over 2000miles of trouble free, luxury motoring in it, so I'm now beginning to relax and enjoy it because the car I sold previously, I'd had for four and a half years of trouble free motoring with just a yearly service and tyres (I needed an automatic)....I think a lot of it comes down to doing your own due diligence, which you seem to be doing....and the rest is just down to a gut feeling. The rest is in the hands of the gods lol.

Good luck

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.  I've heard the engine is pretty robust, and indeed the car has been serviced generally in line with the 10,000 miles recommend, just not to JLR's schedule.  It is a particularly nice late example, with low mileage and one owner.  The dealer so far is accommodating, and at my request is trying to see if the previous owner would  be willing to give me a call.

I have driven it, but need a longer test drive if the truth be told.  It's passed all my HP/ Car Vertical checks and I'm also going to have it inspected by a local Jaguar specialist.  If all that checks out, then I'll pull the trigger.  However, despite best efforts, the rest really is in the hand of the gods!  

I'm encouraged to hear your higher mileage XF is providing effortless, reliable and relaxing motoring.  Fingers crossed, I'm heading the same way!  Thanks again.

[SteveBRX]

3 hours ago, N6 JMX said:

Hi Steve, as Mark has said above, it really does come down to a personal "feel" for all things considered. The 5 litre engine is VERY robust and reliable, but a gap of 3 years in the servicing (at least twice now, would make me think long and hard. Ideally, the oil should be changed annually, irrespective of the mileage between service intervals, but nothing much else in the service regime is such an issue.

My mind would think that if the previous owner(s) had skimped on getting the servicing completed - which is not at all a cheap item at a main dealer (circa £600 each visit), what else has been skimped on, so look extremely carefully at all other aspects of the vehicle before committing hard cash into the deal.

With the car at coming on 10 years old, the tyres could be needing changed - 5 years is about it on these cars, irrespective of the tread remaining. The tyres should also be premium branded such as Dunlop Sport Maxx in J, for Jaguar, specification. Check the tyres carefully and if they are mismatched, or not premium, have a rethink. Also check the tyre dates on the sidewall's - refer to the Kwik Fit website for information on that if you are not sure.

Also at 10 years old, the battery could well be due for replacing, again a 5 year interval between battery replacement is a good proactive / preventative maintenance option. Uncover the battery - it's in the boot behind a trim panel depending on coupe or convertible - and if it is still an original Jaguar stickered battery, once again think about the skimping that may have taken place.

These cars have large / expensive brake discs and callipers and with missed servicing regime, the pads could well be seized in the callipers and the discs scored or warped - check on the test drive for any braking issues such as vibration or long pedal.

Often, low mileage cars can be more trouble than a well maintained and cherished high miler - such as Mark has. If you do go ahead with the purchase, I hope you have years of trouble free motoring. They are fantastic machines with Supercar performance at Mondeo money.

N6 JMX

Thanks for your thoughts.  That gap is indeed making me think long an hard about the car, especially the first gap where significant miles were covered over a three year period before the Oil was changed again.  I'm hoping the previous owner (luckily there has only been one) is willing to have a conversation and may well through some light on why those years were skipped.  I appreciate that the services aren't cheap, but if spend that amount of money to buy the car new in the first place, you would hope that £400 - £600 isn't too much of an issue.

I'm grateful for the other tips, I certainly didn't check the battery but will now.  The brakes look okay and it's shod with Pirelli P Zero tyres all round; I do need to check their age though - thanks for the Kwik Fit link, I'll take a look at that.

So, I will remain as pragmatic and as unattached as I can, and they are indeed fantastic machines.  Thanks again for your thoughts, and yes, I am thinking long and hard!