The trouble with having such easy access to spare parts for the XJ6 is knowing when to stop buying them. It becomes all too easy to lose sight of the reason for doing this in the first place: to enjoy luxury motoring for minimal expenditure as long as it lasts.

Of course, I have no option but to do the work on things that mean the difference between it passing its MOT or not. However, understanding what's necessary and what isn't is important - especially to someone with a wallet-moth collection as impressive as mine. 

For instance, if I press the Jag's radio-cassette player power button, sometimes I will be able to listen to the radio, but sometimes I won't. This, it seems, depends entirely on what phase the moon is in. It certainly has nothing to do with pressing the power button. 

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Now, I've tried oiling the aerial - which raises electronically - and gently bending it straight, but this hasn't helped. I could pay to have the wiring looked at, or get a replacement aerial, but that's expensive. So, for now, I'm enjoying the smooth hum of the Jag's straight six - accompanied by the odd clunk from the front suspension. It's a job that can wait. 

Likewise the clock, which is a known problem; all I have is a blank LCD screen. It's around £100 for the new part, and if fitted by someone else, probably the same in labour. Personally, I can live with not knowing the time.

Other electrical glitches have proved easier to fix. The quickest of these was the remote central locking, which on first attempt didn't work.

A little research into the key's battery revealed the previous owner had wedged a single large button battery where two smaller ones should have been; £2 later I had a working remote locking system. It's worth it for the ’90s double-horn blip upon locking and unlocking alone. 

Another cheap and necessary fix will be the offside rear rust. It's only on the surface and nothing a quick sandpaper and seal won't solve - exactly the sort of battle you want to pick when running one of these things.

I'll be making another trip to the workshop to have the front suspension bushes swapped and wheels aligned soon. Hopefully, aside from standard maintenance, this will be the last bit of major money spent before the Jag feels back to its best.