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Saab 9-3 reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 465,648 MOT tests of cars first registered 1998–2011.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
Saab 9-3
60.4%pass first time
+4.6 ptsvs typical car
Beats 66%of cars
465,648MOT tests

Verdict

The Saab 9-3 passes its MOT first time on 60.4% of tests, 4.6 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (55.8%). That puts it ahead of 66% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2010 9-3 does best (beats 71% of cars) and the 2004 worst (beats 62%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Petrol does best (beats 68%) and the 1.9 Diesel worst (beats 63%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, body & structure, steering.

Watch these weak spots

Coil springs1.9×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%55%60%65%70%75%789101112131415161718192071%66%61%59%60%60%60%
Saab 9-3Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1998
Beats 50%
1999
Beats 59%
2000
Beats 64%
2001
Beats 70%
2002
Beats 68%
2003
Beats 64%
2004
Beats 62%
2005
Beats 63%
2006
Beats 62%
2007
Beats 67%
2008
Beats 71%
2009
Beats 70%
2010
Beats 71%
2011
Beats 68%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1998–2011219,60860.9%Beats 68%B
1.9 Diesel2004–2011218,91159.9%Beats 63%B
1.8 Petrol2004–200913,27559.2%Beats 62%B
2.8 Petrol2005–200810,63665.8%Beats 83%A
2.2 Diesel2002–20043,21851.3%Beats 57%C

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 6.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 17.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 14.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 7.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 10.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 14.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+7.3 ptsTyres: 7.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+0.5 ptsBrakes: 10.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+2.3 ptsSuspension: 17.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−0.2 ptsExhaust: 6.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.3 ptsSuspension: 17.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 10.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 7.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 14.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 6.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 14.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+7.3 ptsTyres: 7.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+0.5 ptsBrakes: 10.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+2.3 ptsSuspension: 17.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−0.2 ptsExhaust: 6.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.3 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 17.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension
17.7% vs 17.4%
Lights & electrics
14.2% vs 21.6%
Brakes
10.6% vs 12.8%
Tyres
7.6% vs 8.1%
Emissions & leaks
6.1% vs 6.4%
Visibility
6.0% vs 7.2%
Body & structure
5.8% vs 7.4%
Steering
2.3% vs 3.7%
Seat belts & airbags
1.6% vs 2.4%
Wheels
0.6% vs 0.6%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Coil springs 1.9× typical
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Headlight bulbs & units
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k82%78%71%66%61%58%56%55%
Saab 9-3Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Coil springs7.1%3.8%1.9×
Tyre damage & cracking4.3%4.0%1.1×
Sidelights4.0%5.9%0.7×
Headlight aim3.4%5.6%0.6×
Headlight bulbs & units3.2%4.0%0.8×
Tyre tread depth2.9%3.7%0.8×
Brake pads2.8%2.3%1.2×
Exhaust system2.6%2.4%1.1×
Windscreen wipers2.6%3.0%0.9×
Windscreen washers2.6%3.3%0.8×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened71.0
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn52.3
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements34.0
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc29.8
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements28.8
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning27.4
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm27.1
A tyre seriously damaged26.1
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2011 Saab 9-32 engines67.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel18,97467.1%Beats 68%B
2.0 Petrol3,45071.0%Beats 67%B
2010 Saab 9-32 engines66.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel26,51266.0%Beats 71%B
2.0 Petrol6,02970.2%Beats 75%B
2009 Saab 9-33 engines64.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel27,92562.8%Beats 67%B
2.0 Petrol7,59469.4%Beats 80%A
1.8 Petrol2,15867.8%Beats 77%B
2008 Saab 9-34 engines62.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel46,71460.8%Beats 67%B
2.0 Petrol16,19766.3%Beats 79%B
1.8 Petrol2,82665.3%Beats 77%B
2.8 Petrol1,95971.5%Beats 92%A
2007 Saab 9-34 engines60.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel47,56658.3%Beats 63%B
2.0 Petrol34,07863.3%Beats 72%B
2.8 Petrol2,93667.2%Beats 85%A
1.8 Petrol2,25957.5%Beats 55%C
2006 Saab 9-34 engines57.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel35,41753.9%Beats 54%C
2.0 Petrol34,01860.4%Beats 68%B
2.8 Petrol4,36863.7%Beats 79%B
1.8 Petrol2,40254.5%Beats 51%C
2005 Saab 9-34 engines56.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol35,63558.7%Beats 66%B
1.9 Diesel13,58551.9%Beats 54%C
1.8 Petrol1,80254.6%Beats 52%C
2.8 Petrol1,37361.5%Beats 74%B
2004 Saab 9-34 engines55.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol28,77356.6%Beats 63%B
1.9 Diesel2,21850.4%Beats 51%C
1.8 Petrol1,82852.6%Beats 51%C
2.2 Diesel1,03452.5%Beats 60%C
2003 Saab 9-32 engines56.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol13,75256.6%Beats 63%B
2.2 Diesel1,00654.8%Beats 67%B
2002 Saab 9-32 engines58.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol10,59860.2%Beats 71%B
2.2 Diesel1,17847.4%Beats 42%C
2001 Saab 9-31 engine60.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol9,89660.6%Beats 70%B
2000 Saab 9-31 engine59.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol9,11959.5%Beats 64%B
1999 Saab 9-31 engine58.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol6,69658.9%Beats 59%C
1998 Saab 9-31 engine57.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol3,77357.8%Beats 50%C

FAQ

What is the Saab 9-3 MOT pass rate?

60.4% of MOT tests on the Saab 9-3 were passed first time, based on 465,648 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1998–2011. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 55.8% of the time.

Is the Saab 9-3 reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 66% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Saab 9-3 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2010 9-3 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 71% of cars on UK roads. The 2004 does worst: it beats 62%.

Which Saab 9-3 engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Petrol does best: it beats 68% of cars on UK roads. The 1.9 Diesel does worst: it beats 63%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Saab 9-3?

The most common failure items are coil springs, tyre damage & cracking, sidelights. Compared with similar cars, coil springs comes up 1.9× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.