Hi everyone! I'm new to this community and I'm going tomorrow to look at a couple of F-Types (an S and an R). After doing a bunch of reading (and watching), I've come up with this checklist of things to look for, or to confirm, before making any offers.

Does this list look reasonable, or am I going over-mental on this? Is there anything I should remove? Anything I'm missing? I haven't bought a used car in like 13-14 years, nor ever one this fancy, so although it's now in my price range, having sold my previous car, I'm woefully inexperienced at this point.

Thanks for your time!

------------------Engine (should run quietly when warm)

• SC coupling loose (knock knock knock on engine turn off)
• SC noises (front bearings) (scraping rattling sound while running) ($4000)
• Coolant pipes changed? (has y-pipe been changed) (no = $1200)
• Any water leaks? See for sweet smell, or steam.
• Powdery white residue under water pump (just behind intake)
• Leaks around timing chain cover (oil on alternator)
• Timing chain rattles (tensioners replacement? scrapy rattley sound? $4000)
• Have the injectors been changed? (rich exhaust smell, white/grey smoke after warm up)
  • Might be light tapping noise on startup cold, should go away when warm
  • Could be small amount of white condensation from exhaust, go away quickly.
  • Engine should be dead still and purring
  • On road, turn radio off, listen to engine
  • Check engine sound after drive
  • Temperature gauge ok?

Suspension/wheels

• Even tire wear/alignment
• Brake wear
• Wheel curb damage
• Alightment okay? (no pulling to right/left)
• Any clunks when cornering spiritedly?
• No brake pulsing
• No veering on braking
  • Feel for vibration while driving
  • Steering wheel vibration around 100-120kmh = bad
  • Car should feel sharp and planted

Driveline/exterior

• Rear diff oil leak?
• Muffler valves (check tone change at idle. No chattery/rattle noises from back of car)
• Catalytic needs changing?
• Jack points in good shape?
• Driver/passender window scratching (new bottom seals - $700-1500)
• Rust (rear subframe, rear diff specifically)
• Fuel filler cap locks?
• Do door handles extend/retract properly?
• Water leaks in the trunk (check seal, and under tray. No furriness or green on wiring)
• Check spoiler seals for leaks
  • Is acceleration smooth?
  • Any bumps or hickups going through all gears?

Electrical

• Check CEL codes (OBD port under wheel)
  • Check codes, clear codes, go for test drive, check for new codes
• If battery is more than 4-5 years old, ask for new one.
• Windows open/close smoothly
• Satnav works?
• Brake lights turn off

Interior

• Sticky buttons
• Electric seats (bolsters, switches, all adjustments)
• Central HVAC vents rise/lower without noises/hessitation/sticking
• Heated seats work?
• Seat belt recall
• Is A/C cold, is heater hot?

Misc to ask about

• Service history
• Rust underneath
• Software issues
• Dents/kinks/panel alignment
• Doors open/close right
• Overspray or rough paint

Modifications

• Stock muffler
• Stock intake
• Stock infotainment
• Stock wheels (or spare set?)

 

Gas caps on US F-Types do not lock. I am not sure about Canadian ones but I suspect they are the same. You can add a locking gas cap if you want see the thread below.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f...2018-a-247681/

Another item for your list is to check for the tow hook and tow hook holder in the trunk. On coupes they are stored near the battery. Also check for an owner's manual.

 

It is a good list for PPI for you or a mechanic. Also pay attention to the owner - spend some time having a conversation (in person is the best) if you can. I prefer to buy from an individual - usually OCD enthusiasts like most of us here on the forum are best

 

This is a comprehensive list,depending on the year the DRL headlights. I have had my fair share of cars in my lifetime, mostly used cars and trucks. I always budget at least 20% of the cost of the vehicle for repairs, and I have never been disappointed. My F type had 3 years left on the warranty when I purchased it and I am glad it did. My car had electrical issues and software issues that took some time to figure out.
I have had pre purchase inspections done that have cost me thousands of dollars and still have had issues with the vehicle, hence the 20%.
As bfrank1972 has said speaking with the owner and sizing them up is a good indication of the condition of the car. So many of the used high end sports and luxury cars are purchased by people who are scraping together the money to buy them and they have very little left over for maintenance. Which brings up maintenance records, if they do their own maintenance, make sure that you see receipts for the maintenance items with proper dates. Used vehicles are a gamble, I hope lady luck is on your side.

 

You’re doing the right thing. A car like this could bury you financially if you are not diligent.

Also, CND cars do not have locking gas caps.

 

Thank you, everyone! I appreciate the heads up on the gas caps @DMeister and @cpq100. Does the car come with a cap at all? I know our 2018? Honda CR-V has no cap, just like a... hatch kind of orifice?

@colormegone I'm trying to look for a 2016 or 2017 model specifically to try to avoid some early model issues and the LED headlights, though I know I'm going to be annoyed dealing with the infotainment (carplay is a must for me) down the line, haha.

The cars I'm looking at today are from dealers (slim pickings up here with the specs I want right now). Two private sellers I had contacted, one is ill and the other is leaving the country for a month (as am I, next week). This may end up being just a scouting mission unless I really fall in love with this one coupe I'm seeing today.

It also occurred to me overnight to ask - how many keys should I expect to get with the car?

 

Changing the cooland pipes is going to run a lot more than $1200.

 

Yes, F-Types come with gas caps.

 

Get it up on a lift and check:
- rust
- undercarriage panels intact
- bushings
- leaks
- suspension components
- exhaust system

 

What early model issues are you trying to avoid?

 

It should come with two. Make sure the physical key inside the fob actually works, too. It takes some effort, but both of the physical keys should work.

 

Check the headlights for 'microcracking'. It cannot be polished out.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f...-lense-257789/

If the F does not come with a spare, there should be a bottle of goo and an air compressor in the trunk. When I bought my 2017 in 2020, the expiration date was passed or close to it. Found that the Unibottle at Amazon would get the job done. It is just the right size to fit in the foam-formed area. I checked all the connections and it will work.

 

Good PPI list!

If you don't do your own work, the repair costs are low....

 

I hear that there were some fitment and paint issues on earlier cars, and I'm not sure if I heard conclusively that stuff around the timing chain was reduced? or solved around 2016 or so... I could totally have been making stuff up in my head though, with all the research I've been trying to do...

 

Undercarriage panels - are these like the engine under-cover on some cars? Is there more than one? Seems difficult to find good pictures, to know what I should be looking for... one place mentions the SVR and it seems like there's at least two, maybe one near the back?

Thanks for pointing that out!

Of the two I checked out yesterday (dealers), one couldn't be pulled out for a drive, and the other was a nice-ish R with some interior issues and a $21k repair bill for a side-swipe crash 4 years ago. I feel like a teenager saying this, but I really kind of love the switchable exhaust valves...

 

Ah ok, not sure on paint issues, always possible I guess. Haven't heard of panel fitment issues being a thing on earlier cars in particular - on any of the cars panels may need adjustment if the hood has been removed etc. A lot of little panels to align with the one big clamshell all adjustable though. Obviously you may see panel issues if a car had been through a significant impact. The earlier AJ engines had some documented cam chain issues but if I recall correctly they were updated in 2014 to a wider chain, better guides, tensioner, etc. At least on the 5.0 liter engines, I imagine the same on the 3.0 but I could be wrong. The big thing you will see with these cars is lack of oil changes - things like timing chains etc can have real problems on any year F-Type if folks don't change out the oil often enough. Factory recommended was something stupid like 16k miles. Need to use the correct oil, oem filter, and change every 5k.

 

When I was looking at my 2017 in 2020, there were some panel fitment issues that I noticed.. where the bonnet/hood lines up over the front tires. I downloaded all the workshop pages to see what it would take to make it better. UGH.. seemed to me that it was not worth the massive effort and likely to make other fitted areas worse. I did have a headlight assembly area that stuck out to the side. I just happened to press in on it when trying to get around the car, and the whole panel moved inward. I did some forum research and read that an owner had an identical issue and found that the headlight bolts were partially out of their holes. The headlight bolts in question are behind two yellow-ish plugs in the front tire wheel well. When I looked in there, there were NO bolts at all. Bought replacements, put them in and aligned the panel. One would think at this price point (originally) that fit and finish would be better. I looked at new 2024s in the showroom and they were about the same. Oh well.
and IMO, I would not consider a car that had suffered a side swipe crash. Hang in there. Your car is out there, be patient, you will find it!

 

Yeah, minor body stuff like this is not something I'm afraid to tinker with if necessary, but coming from a fairly modified car in my Impreza (which was quite problem-free, to be honest), I'm kind of looking forward to have just a nice car with minimal need to change or fix anything - just something I can enjoy driving and occasionally maintaining. Where can I find these workshop pages? I've always tried to keep a copy of the shop manuals for whatever car I've owned (or, back before the Internet, a Haynes book!)


I really appreciate your encouragement! I think if I could find it, my ideal would be a red V6S RWD coupe with the suede seats... but I guess the chase is sometimes part of the fun.

 

Yup patience is key. If at all possible get a car with comprehensive maintenance history.

Panel adjustment isn't hard, it just requires method and patience. Most alignment issues are really minor and a 5 minute task. Check out this video:

 

Can I make a suggestion? Find a clean car and just buy it. If you came up with a checklist this long, you're probably going to obsess over every item. I know, I did the same thing
when I bought my F. I never relaxed, never stopped looking/developing/worrying. I never fully enjoyed the car. I bought an XK about 3 weeks ago with 90k plus on it. If it breaks then
it f'n breaks! Which it has, already (yikes).
Just my 5 cents! (I always give more than necessary)