2007 Jaguar Sovereign 4.2

Recently reimported from Japan – although you suspected that already from its condition, didn’t you? – this Jaguar Sovereign 4.2 was first registered in 2007 and yet despite being 17 years old has covered just 59,000 miles in that time.

UK-registered, ‘LF07 ONB’ is finished in Emerald Pearl with a Barley ruched extended leather interior. It’s also now been updated to the full UK-spec including the sat-nav, speedometer face, and numberplate plinths.

Just as importantly these days for us Brits, it’s ULEZ-compliant, costs just £345 a year to tax, and will be treated by your insurer in the same way as a UK car. 

To top it all, the seller also says it is “fault free”, something the clean MoT certificate supports.

As a twist on British Racing Green, Emerald Pearl (colour code HGZ) takes some beating, doesn’t it? Of course, it helps when the finish is as good as this; ignore the registration number and we think this could easily pass for a car a third of its age.

And even accounting for the fact that cars from Japan are invariably better curated than most that have stayed in Blighty, this one does look uncommonly good with tight and consistent shutlines and perfect panel alignment underscoring the beautiful green paintwork.

There are no ripples along the sides either, and the four corners are untroubled by the sort of scuffs and scratches that betray Euro-style parking-by-feel.

The wire mesh grilles that sit above and below the front bumper are another highlight. Redolent of Jaguar’s iconic design history, they add a classical elegance to coachwork that’s not exactly short-changing you in that department anyway.

What chromework there is might be minimal but it is in an excellent condition being free of rust and scratches.

The 19-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels are similarly blemish free. Not only that, they are also fitted with a matching set of matching 255/40R19 Nankang Noble Sport NS-20 tyres. All have very good tread, which means this is something else you don’t need to worry about.

Plus, we will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. 

As for the rest, it’s all beautifully preserved. If you’re in the market for one of these we don’t think you’ll find better, no matter how deep your pockets.

And yet, even the best cars usually leave a little room for improvement. The rubber windscreen seal has perished and the edges of the windscreen itself are starting to delaminate.

Did we hear someone say, “two birds with one stone?” 

The extended Barley leather trim lives up to its name, reaching past the seats and onto the door cards, centre console, dashboard, and steering wheel.

There’s plenty of walnut trim in there too, including the steering wheel and gearknob as well as across the full width of the dashboard and along the top of the doors. 

Obviously, there’s a smattering of chrome, and this trifecta of extravagance ensures the Sovereign is every inch the thoroughbred, giving a nod to the past while staying firmly rooted in the present.

As for the condition, the 121 photos we’ve posted tell nothing but a good story, don’t they?

The lights work in the sunvisors. The headlining is clean and taut. The controls are crisp, both in operation and labelling. The ashtrays look unused. The carpets are clean and unruffled by the passage of time. 

The rear passengers enjoy plenty of legroom plus one of the largest armrests we’ve ever seen. Big enough, in fact, to accommodate a pair of cupholders as well as two decent-sized storage compartments.

And what seating that is: all are beautifully designed, the ruching adds an of-the-period look to what are supremely comfortable and yet still very supportive seats; no one balances performance and pampering better than Jaguar, which makes the job of engineering seats all the harder and the end result is a tribute to the obsessiveness of JLR’s engineers.

All four are heated too, and we are told that “every switch and button is working as it should” including the air-conditioning, which is “ice cold.”

It doesn’t get any better than that, does it?

Of course, the boot is as clean and solid and well presented as everywhere else. It also plays host to the space-saver spare wheel, CD multichanger, genuine Jaguar battery, and a tool kit.

As for flaws and faults, these appear to be limited to a missing warning triangle.

That’s not a bad result, is it?

The seller put the car through his usual post-import inspection and preparation work, running up an £1,800 bill in the process. Mind you, in addition to checking it over, they also swapped out the Japan-market speedo for a UK-faced one, updated the radio and sat-nav to UK-spec, and fitted the full-size numberplate plinths we are used to over here.

The work might not have been cheap, but it leaves the Sovereign looking and functioning just like a UK car but with the benefit of being much cleaner and showing almost zero visible rust: in fact, the only rust we can see is to some of the bolt heads underneath and even that is much, much lighter than you’d expect.

The only flaw we can see in the engine bay is some cracking to the paint on the inner wings/turret tops.

The 294bhp V8 engine is buried under some (very nice) plastic covers. As the video demonstrates, it starts and idles well, doing both without illuminating any warning lights on the dashboard.

It also makes all the right noises and none of the wrong – and be sure to turn the volume up to be able to fully appreciate the exhaust note!

The seller reports that it has “super smooth suspension with no clunks or other noises, smooth brakes and transmission, and both the engine and gearbox run to perfection.”

The Jaguar’s MoT certificate, which is valid until April 2025, was issued with no advisories. 

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear except for the marker for being an imported car, and the Jaguar also comes with two key fobs, the export certificate from Japan, a mileage verification certificate, a few other bits and bobs of paperwork, and the book pack.

And a recent invoice for £2,855 is on file, itemising among other things, a new headliner, wheel refurbishment, new tyres and a full machine polish and ceramic coating.

A cracking example!

The X350 series of cars give all the benefits of the classis Jaguar XJ models – grace and space, primarily – alongside truly 21st century dynamic ability.

Nor is it pace to the exclusion of all else because the 4.2-litre V8 is not only very fast, it also has superlative handling and ride.

Prices for leggy, older cars are ridiculously – and temptingly - cheap. 

This is not one of those cars. In fact, our guide price of between £25,000 and £30,000 puts it at the very top of its range but then this is at the very top of the range for condition, too.

So yes, it is likely to sell for a lot of money but the market prizes the very best cars appropriately, so any premium you pay now may come back to you, possibly with interest, when the time comes to let it go.

Still not convinced? In that case you might be pleased to hear that the seller has enough faith in his car to offer it without reserve, so it’s going to sell from the very first bid.

Which makes it auctioneering at its finest because you will be the final arbiter as to its real value, not us. 

That’s pretty cool, isn’t it?

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.