I have 2 x-types, a 2005 and a 2007. While I am maintenance savvy and capable, there are limits when it come to working on the Jags. Certain special tools needed, troubleshooting diagnostics, or complicated procedures will have me take the vehicle to a Jag dealer, which is one point of this post.
I became aware several years ago when I moved from Florida to the Appalachian area and had to find a Jag dealer. There are 3 dealers I could use, all about 2.5-3 hour driving time away from me. Unfortunately, two of those dealers follow the practice of what I can only deduce is typical of most Jag dealers these days, and that is they no longer will work on a vehicle more than 10-13 years old. The reasons, I surmise, are several. First is the requirement to retain a qualified and trained technician. That requires the expense of continual training and maintaining certification, which may pose difficulty if fewer and fewer older vehicles frequent the dealer. Better to train them on the newer stuff. The second is the retaining of diagnostic and special equipment and their need for annual certification, or just taking up space. A third might be the notion of planned obsolescence, inventory turnover, and continuing profits by getting an owner to trade in an older vehicle for a newer one. I'm sure there are other factors.
I am planning a cross country trip to Texas and called several dealers along the way to see if they could do some maintenance on the x-type. Three of three said no...don't work on vehicles more than 10, 11, or 13 years old. I think this problem is nearsighted, as why would I purchase a new Jaguar if the dealer network is going to discontinue service in 10 or so years? Definitely a disincentive for me. I believe in honoring the history and legacy of Jaguar by preserving, driving, and showing mine. I would think the dealer network would want the same? I can see now why the x-type may not hold value anymore and the used car market will continue to scar the type, nobody would want to purchase a car if they can't get service on it.
Nonetheless, I feel for other x-type and s-type owners who are not maintenance savvy and have to seek assistance with Jag service but can not get it. I'm fortunate in that the third dealer close to me (if one considers a 3 hour drive as "close") still provides a technician who they support and who remains qualified. The other two do not.
Which brings me to the second reason for this post. I am very grateful for all the support and the individuals on this forum provide to help me continue to preserve and enjoy my X-type. Thanks so much!!

 

Agree with all your comments none of this is new on manufacturer support past 10 years forcing dealers to move there attention to later model vehicles.
This has led to a boom in specialist and non manufacturer repairer's to cater for us that have older vehicles.
I remember in my early years as a mechanic the so called sealed for life components that suckered a lot of consumers as this really only meant 10 year.
There is no incentive for dealers to grow and expand as manufacturers, Politicians, media are saying electric is the future.
In the very near future you wont be going to a dealer tobuy a car. All major car manufacturers are introducing on line purchasing with no opportunity to negotiate a price and they will tell you where you can pick up your car.
More dealers will leave the industry as they will not be able to survive.

 

Funny the articles as of late that after all the flooding in Florida from Hurricane Ian, the fire departments are having pretty severe problems with the batteries from electric cars corroding and catching on fire. Articles say the fires are not easily put out.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.new...aftermath/amp/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/dot.la/...ian-2658412136

Etc...