Jaguar and Daimler X300 (XJ6/12 1994 - 1997) and X308 (XJ8 1997 to 2003)

1. X300 and X308 Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN)

The X300 VIN is based on the VIN system which was introduced in 1978, and revised in 1981. It is made up of 17 characters, detailed below. In 1998 this system was replaced by a new system (very similar, and still consisting of 17 characters) The new system was introduced a year or so into X308 production, which means that early XJ8's can be identified by the older VIN displayed on the windscreen and later XJ8's display the new version. Both systems are the equivalent of DNA, so (in theory) given a specific VIN, you should be able to visualise a Jaguar (or Daimler) just be asking for the VIN, paint and trim codes!

Below are links to tables which show the VIN codes relating to X300 and X308 to 1998 and X308 1998 to 2003, respectively. These will allow you to decipher the VIN of any X300 or X308. This is followed by an explanation of the character meanings.

How to read a Jaguar X300 (and X308 to 1998) Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

How to read a Jaguar X308 (1998 to 2003) Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Character Meanings (applied to the VIN system introduced in 1978 (1981 revision):

Characters 1 - 3 denote the manufacturer.
1. Country of Manufacture
2. Vehicle Manufacturer
3. Marque

NB: The above 3 letter prefix was added to all Jaguar and Daimler cars from 1981.Some sources state that the first 3 characters, together, denote the "world manufacturer identification code" SAJ for Jaguar Cars Ltd, Coventry, and that these do not break down individually. Other sources break the 3 digits down as displayed here, hence the repetition of "Marque"

Characters 4 - 11 carry information about the vehicles specification
4. Marque
5. Model
6. Market
7. Body
8. Engine
9. Transmission and Drive
10. Series
11. Emission Equipment

12-17. Sequential production number - unique to each car and allocated in production order, regardless of specification etc

Character Meanings (applied to the VIN system introduced in 1998):

Characters 1 - 3 denote the manufacturer.
1. Country of Manufacture
2. Vehicle Manufacturer
3. Marque

NB: The above 3 letter prefix was added to all Jaguar and Daimler cars from 1981.Some sources state that the first 3 characters, together, denote the "world manufacturer identification code" SAJ for Jaguar Cars Ltd, Coventry, and that these do not break down individually. Other sources break the 3 digits down as displayed here, hence the repetition of "Marque"

Characters 4 - 11 carry information about the vehicles specification
4. Market and Airbag Specification
5. Transmission and Steering
6 & 7. Body (now represented by a two digit code)
8. Emission
9. Check Digit*
10. Model Year
11. Engine

Characters 12 - 17 are a 5 digit serial number unique to each individual car, and preceded by a letter which relates to a model within a year range.

12. Model Specific Letter which precedes the sequential production number, and falls within a given year range.

13-17. Sequential production number - unique to each car and allocated in production order, regardless of specification etc

*Check Digit - Explanation and Calculation

The ninth character in the modern VIN is a "check digit" and ALL manufacturers follow the same formula for arriving at the check digit! The formula is given below:

1. Assign to each letter of the VIN its mathematical value, as detailed below. (Numbers used in the VIN remain unchanged and retain their own value.) All 17 characters are included in the calculation, with the exception of the check digit.

2. Each number allocated above is then multiplied by the “VIN position value”. (In other words, the position which the original character holds within the VIN is given a value, as detailed below. The two numbers, thus arrived at, are then multiplied together.)

3. When all sixteen pairs of numbers have been multiplied together, the answers are then added together to provide one total value.

4. The total value arrived at is then divided by 11

5. The remainder (after division of the total by 11) is the check digit. It will be a single digit from 0 through to 9 - or if the remainder is 10, it is given the value X

Example:

SAJAC13D4YK F16799

The sum of the numbers shown in column 3 = 334

334 divided by 11 = 30 remainder 4

Check digit = 4

SAJAC13D4YK F16799

A full explanation on Jaguar VIN evolution can be found on our Facts and Information page.

Back to Index

2. X300 Production Numbers

*No seperate build figures are listed as the Executive was a run out model for the XJ6 3.2

Back to Index

3. X300 Executive

Jaguar announced the launch of the X300 XJ Executive on the 10th April 1996 thus:

"The new XJ Executive saloon is specifically tailored to the needs of the business user,
who demands a subtle yet distinctly sporting saloon with a rich feature specification,
at an affordable price"

It made its debut at the Fleet Show on the 23rd April 1996.

Based on the X300 XJ6 3.2, the Executive offered an equivalent specification, but with automatic transmission, climate control, sports-style hide seats, a wood and leather steering wheel, and wooden gear selector knob, all included as standard.

Offered in 3.2 litre, standard wheelbase form only, in a range of 8 exterior colours and 4 interior trim combinations, and priced (at launch) at £34,970, including delivery and 12 months road fund licence.

Back to Index

This site is currently under development, some content and pages may be missing. If you cannot find what you want on this site, please contact Letitia who can provide you with further information. Thank you for your patience.