Jaguar F-TYPE (R and SVR) buying guide

Avoid 2014 and 2015 if you can. CarsCounsel rates them the least favorable years because of early defects, and early cars are the ones with melting soft-touch trim on the steering wheel and door panels and infotainment that freezes.

A spring 2017 facelift brought a revised interior, better infotainment and LED headlights. The big change came in 2020: new front and rear styling, improved suspension and chassis parts, new 20-inch wheels and a technology upgrade. The standard R took the SVR's full-strength 567bhp V8, up from 542bhp, and the supercharged V6 was dropped. The 2020 R also got new springs and dampers, plus stiffer rear knuckles, tighter bushings and uprated wheel bearings, evo reports.

Drive layout matters too. All-wheel drive was optional on V8 R models early on and is part of later V8 cars. Both evo and Auto Express call it a worthwhile upgrade over rear drive and say it feels much more secure. Rush Magazine adds that the V8 has an electronic limited-slip differential, where the V6 S has a mechanical one.

We track SVR coupes, SVR convertibles, facelift R coupes and R convertibles. The coupe has 407 litres of boot, the roadster 200 litres, so the body style decides how much luggage you can carry.

Coolant pipe cracking

The plastic coolant pipes on the 5.0-litre V8 crack, and a failed one can cause overheating. Fault File adds that the crossover pipes and hoses on V6 and V8 cars can crack or weep, and budgets roughly £800 to £1,500 for new pipes.

Noisy camchain tensioners

Some V8s develop noisy camchain tensioners, according to The i Paper.

Harsh automatic shifts

The ZF eight-speed can shift harshly. A fluid and filter service costs around £300 to £500 by Fault File's figures, and it is the obvious first step.

Rear differential leaks

Faulty seals can let the rear differential leak, says Quelle Occasion.

Electrical and cooling faults

What Car magazine rates reliability as mixed, with owners reporting electrical faults, warning lights and cooling failures. NHTSA's complaint records show a similar pattern, with the electrical system and engine the leading components.

Early infotainment and trim

Early InControl systems freeze and lag, and facelift cars are better. Early cars also have soft-touch material that melts on the steering wheel and door panels.

Auto Express quotes £400 to £700 for a minor service, due every 12 months or 16,000 miles.

Fault File puts the ZF fluid and filter service at around £300 to £500, and coolant pipes at roughly £800 to £1,500. On an SVR, Auto Express says replacement ceramic brake parts carry very high prices, so have the discs assessed before you buy.

Look for a 2020 or later R, preferably all-wheel drive, since it has the 567bhp V8 and the revised suspension. Take an SVR only if you accept ceramic brake costs. Skip 2014 and 2015 cars, given the early defects CarsCounsel describes. Our F-TYPE price guide shows how years and trims differ.

Walk away from any V8 with no record of the coolant pipe update or the gearbox fluid change, and have an independent specialist inspect the car before you hand over money.