X-Type Corrosion problem

[Atistasha]

I have been researching X-Types with the view to buy a 2.0 diesel, I have maybe £5k to spend, I was talking to a car dealer friend today and he warned me off buying an X-Type pre 2006 as he said they are prone to crrosion under the plastic sills along the side of the car and the only way to detect this is to get the car over an inspection pit and remove the plastic sill covers. (expensive repair job)

Can anyone give me advice on wether this is a common problem related to X Types of a certain age/mileage or has likely been a one off in his experience

I would imagine these forums are about the best place to get info like this

thanks guys

[J44EAG]

The short answer is, yes, the X-type is made from steel and just like S-type, X308XJ and XK8 models of the same time line, they do suffer from rot issues as do many other makes of car. As they age, tin worm is often sufficient enough to cause cars to end up at the breakers yard. Repairing a low value car frequently becomes a totally un-economic proposition and a rotter goes off for spares for a token £200-£250. I`ve seen examples of all those particular cars on garage ramps where one can literally walk along the length of the car and shove a steel tool straight through the sill and floor pan panel work. With the car back at floor level, the car otherwise appears in show room condition.

Needless to say that any elderly steel car should be viewed with extreme suspicion until otherwise carefully inspected and found good. Visual inspection is the only way to progress and a rotten car should cause you to run away and find an alternative all good example. Buyer beware applies. There is no need to buy an SEP. (Somebody else`s problem)

Mike K

[davidr]

I agree with Mike. I have seen some absolute horrors!
BUT I have also seen some very well preserved cars. Don't let it put you off an X Type. Armed with the knowledge of what to look for you can find a good one!
I bought an X Type Sovereign estate new in 2009. It would have been one of the last. This was a very good car. It was the high spec so came with all the toys. A mini XJ really. I enjoyed it for 3 years and 90k miles and then off it went to be replaced by an XF.
There are good X Types out there at your price point. Just be careful that you are sure what you're looking at!
Good luck!

[Glen Wilder]

I would imagine that the only reason that the rust issue is said to be bad, is because you cannot see it until it's REALLY bad, it being hidden. When it is detected, it has already had plenty of years to grow undetected. Hence it is suddenly a big job.

If the MOT tester picks up on body corrosion, which is usually the first the X-type owner knows about it, then the rust is very well established.

I have a 2004 car, and there are no signs whatsoever. That said, I have never taken the skirts off to have a look. Maybe I should? I would doubt that they all rust badly there, it depending on each car's use. Some will be fine. There is presumably a water trap there, so if the car has spent a long time on wet motorways, maybe it will rust more than one that just potters about in the dry? You get the picture.
I've recently raised a similar question about the alu XJ. Horror stories are usually in the minority. Nobody says WOW, I've got a 6 year old Jag and it's not rusty!!
Thanks.

[paulstrees]

I had my car Krown Rustproofed ( £250 ) kills existing rust and protects from further corrosion