This Jaguar XFR, a crash-damaged car found at auction, became the subject of a risky salvage rebuild and full car restoration project.
Bought for just £3,000 with no keys, no history, and visible front-end damage, it was a bold bet.
There was no confirmation that the engine would even turn over, let alone run.
But with enough skill and a bit of luck, this forgotten XFR slowly came back to life, thanks to the team at Top Dead Center on YouTube.
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Taking a risk with a Jaguar XFR salvage rebuild
The Jaguar XFR was picked up at auction for just £3,000 with no keys, no V5, and no guarantee that it would even start.
As a salvage rebuild, the car had clear crash damage and visible signs of previous impact.
Still, the potential value of a properly restored Jaguar XFR made the risk worthwhile.
With low mileage and a clean exterior beyond the front damage, it offered just enough promise to dive in.
Getting access inside the Jaguar XFR without keys
Without a working key, the Jaguar XFR couldn’t even be moved off the trailer due to its locked electronic parking brake.
The handbrake module was buried in the boot, which couldn’t be opened without unlocking the car first.
After carefully accessing the module through the rear seats, the team manually powered it to release.
Dips from P1 Auto Keys attempted to create new keys, as seen in Top Dead Center’s video.
Repairing fuel and brake lines during car restoration
The Jaguar XFR’s crash-damaged car status quickly revealed itself in the form of crushed brake lines and leaking fuel pipes.
Forklift damage at the salvage yard had caused more harm than initially expected.
A copper replacement for the brake line avoided the need to drop the engine, saving both time and money.
Meanwhile, new fuel lines were fitted and sealed to restore flow safely through the system.
Diagnosing more issues under the Jaguar XFR
Under the Jaguar XFR, the inspection uncovered more symptoms of a hard crash.
The brake pipe was flattened, track rod ends were bent, and evidence of impact was visible on the radiator.
Despite these issues, the timing chain and supercharger showed no major wear, offering hope for the engine.
Combined with relatively new suspension parts, this crash-damaged car still had potential underneath the surface.
Cleaning up the crash-damaged car inside and out
The interior of the Jaguar XFR was in poor condition, cluttered with debris and showing signs of long-term neglect.
Everything from polish residue to lost items gave clues about the previous owner’s habits.
After removing the back seats and giving it a deep clean, the car began to feel more complete.
The car restoration is fully captured in the Top Dead Center episode, down to the smallest detail.
Final repairs complete on the Jaguar XFR
Final repairs for the Jaguar XFR included replacing a damaged headlight, radiator, and broken trim using salvaged and new parts.
An oil service and brake fluid bleed completed the car restoration and ensured the car could run reliably.
Once filled with fuel and fluids, the engine turned over and fired up after multiple attempts.
At last, the car that once sat lifeless was running and drivable again.
What started as a crash-damaged car and uncertain salvage rebuild became a genuine success story.
The Jaguar XFR now starts, drives, and holds the potential to face off in a final drag race against its rival.
All of the work was done with clever mechanical solutions, avoiding the high costs of traditional repairs.
The full journey is featured on Top Dead Center’s YouTube channel, showing just how far this car has come.
See the full video here:
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