Looked at a used XF, 29k mile 1 owner car, Carfax shows the car had 3 oil changes within the first 1k miles of the car,

Sounds like a major engine problem that probably led to them replacing the motor, any other ideas?

Also shows the waterpump getting replaced at 25k miles which I guess is a good thing.

 

That's quite an assumption.

 

I'd say the dealership opening up the motor 3 times within the first 1000 miles of a brand new car one could definitely conclude the motor could have been replaced.

 

Call them and ask them ? It's possible that the first owner just was super cautious about that first break in oil(s)...

I've had little trouble talking to the service departments on a CarFax history as long as it doesn't involve the owners personal details like names or address but service records on the car have been willingly disclosed...

 

My local dealer is happy to tell me everything that is in the database, but the database as you know doesn't explain things in enough detail or disclose much negativity. I tried to call a servicing dealer in San Francisco for clarification about a service record and they said they wouldn't disclose anything without the prior owners consent. But I'm like you. If there's anything suspicious in the record and nobody will explain it, then that means they're hiding that the previous owner named the car "Christine".

 

Which engine size etc?

(If diesel... DPF problems? They need urgent oil changes! And can need a new engine.)

 

Welcome to the forum index1489,

Whatever the reason, it was 3 YEARS and 28k MILES ago.

If the ONE OWNER had serious powertrain issues in less than 1k miles, the vehicle would have either been taken back or traded long before now.

However, with any potential used Jaguar purchase the best advice always is if in doubt, walk away.

Graham

 

The paperwork says nothing about 'opening up the motor (sic)'. If a dealerships/OEMs paperwork system is detailed enough to mention oil changes and minor adjustments like the radio system being updated, I'm sure it would also mention a complete engine change.

Each engine has a permanently engraved manufacturing code on it. This would provide absolute proof whether the engine is original or not.

 

Not always for major engine work, I have a BMW that I've owned since 06, I took a look at the service records on carfax very detailed mentions when I had my windshield molding replaced, interior trim piece, radio replaced etc, but when it came to the dealer opening up my motor, removing the exhaust cams, installing new lifters and retiming the motor all carfax mentioned was maintenance inspection preformed.


I'm pretty sure the car at least had some motor work done, but like one of the posters mentioned it was so long ago and the car was owned for 3 years afterwords.

Picking up the car tomorrow, its a 2013 XF 3.0SC Sport Portfolio with 19's and the Black/Red Interior, loaded with almost every option, and it has about 8-9 months of warranty left to sort out any issues, I'll have the car inspected before it runs out.

I was looking into getting a 5.0SC, but I already have a non-SC 5.0 Range Rover Sport, and I don't think I want 2 cars that get 14mpg's.

 

Carfax is unreliable and incomplete at the best of times. I presume you checked the actual dealer records?

 

I agree....

 

The previous owner may not have driven it much and chained the oil once a year regardless of miles driven.

 

When my wife and I first bought out late, great, 2012 XJ-L, we noticed a "chirping" sound coming from the engine. Long story short, the factory had a bad batch of camshafts, where the surface hardness of a couple of the lobes was OK, but the surface finish wasn't 100% correct. This led to the noise.


The dealer swapped one of the camshafts, and while doing this, they also changed the oil, "just to be safe". My point is, if this "oil change" happened to get noted as a separate "service operation", then this car would have had it's first oil change at about 25-30 miles......