VERDICT · A MEANINGFULLY SAFER GENERATION THAN THE X350
Jaguar XJ 5.0L Supercharged
is it a safe used buy?
The fully redesigned XJ, paired with the meaningfully improved AJ133 V8 — the direct answer to the older X350's documented timing chain tensioner concerns.
GENERATIONX351 (2010–2015)
ENGINE5.0L Supercharged
POWER385–470 hp
USED PRICE$16,000–28,000
How the engine fits this car
The fully redesigned XJ, paired with the meaningfully improved AJ133 V8 — the direct answer to the older X350's documented timing chain tensioner concerns.
If you've read about the earlier XJ's AJ-V8 issues on this site, this generation's engine is a genuinely different, more dependable proposition.
Jaguar XJ-specific pros and cons
This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.
WHAT HOLDS UP WELL
- AJ133's meaningfully improved reliability reputation, detailed on its own page, carries through fully here
- Genuinely striking modern design, a significant step from the X350
- Supercharged versions deliver genuinely strong, immediate performance
- Significant depreciation makes this a lot of flagship luxury for the money
WHAT TO WATCH
- Supercharger belt and pulley wear is a maintenance item worth tracking
- Air suspension is standard and costly to repair if it fails
- Extensive electronic comfort systems add diagnostic complexity if something goes wrong
- Running costs reflect the car's flagship positioning
Pricing on the used market
Mileage band
Typical price
What to expect
Under 60,000 mi
$22,000–28,000
Lower-mileage, well-kept examples
60,000–100,000 mi
$18,500–22,000
Sweet spot, minimal additional risk
100,000+ mi
$16,000–18,500
Still a confident buy with documented maintenance
Pre-purchase checklist for this generation
Ask for documented service history.
If the car has air suspension, cycle it through its settings and confirm it holds height overnight.
On supercharged versions, have a specialist check belt condition.