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Saab 9-5 reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 96,219 MOT tests of cars first registered 1999–2011.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
61.2%pass first time
+6.8 ptsvs typical car
Beats 72%of cars
96,219MOT tests

Verdict

The Saab 9-5 passes its MOT first time on 61.2% of tests, 6.8 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (54.3%). That puts it ahead of 72% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2010 9-5 does best (beats 83% of cars) and the 1999 worst (beats 61%).

Of its engines, the 2.3 Petrol does best (beats 80%) and the 1.9 Diesel worst (beats 68%).

Better than average on suspension, body & structure, visibility.

Watch these weak spots

Engine warning light1.9×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%9101112131415161718192068%64%61%60%60%60%
Saab 9-5Typical 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.

1999
Beats 61%
2000
Beats 73%
2001
Beats 77%
2002
Beats 64%
2003
Beats 65%
2004
Beats 68%
2005
Beats 67%
2006
Beats 76%
2007
Beats 77%
2008
Beats 79%
2009
Beats 78%
2010
Beats 83%
2011
Beats 75%

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
2.3 Petrol1999–201043,49163.3%Beats 80%B
1.9 Diesel2006–201020,47960.7%Beats 68%B
2.0 Petrol1999–200719,42058.5%Beats 66%B
2.2 Diesel2003–20057,90852.1%Beats 56%C
2.0 Diesel2010–20114,92169.3%Beats 79%B

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: 8.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.1% 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: 12.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 18.4% 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: 19.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 22.7% 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: 7.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.2% 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: 11.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 14.2% 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: 19.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 22.7% 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+3.8 ptsTyres: 7.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.2% 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+0.2 ptsBrakes: 11.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 14.2% 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+2.7 ptsSuspension: 12.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 18.4% 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+6.1 ptsExhaust: 8.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.1% 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−1.4 ptsSuspension: 12.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 18.4% 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: 11.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 14.2% 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: 7.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.2% 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: 19.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 22.7% 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: 8.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.1% 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: 19.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 22.7% 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+3.8 ptsTyres: 7.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.2% 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+0.2 ptsBrakes: 11.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 14.2% 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+2.7 ptsSuspension: 12.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 18.4% 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+6.1 ptsExhaust: 8.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.1% 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−1.4 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 8.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.1% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Lights & electrics
19.0% vs 22.7%
Suspension
12.3% vs 18.4%
Brakes
11.4% vs 14.2%
Emissions & leaks
8.5% vs 7.1%
Tyres
7.9% vs 8.2%
Body & structure
5.0% vs 8.4%
Visibility
4.7% vs 7.6%
Seat belts & airbags
2.1% vs 2.9%
Steering
1.7% vs 4.3%
Wheels
0.5% vs 0.6%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Engine warning light 1.9× typical
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Headlight bulbs & units
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Handbrake performance
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%50%60%70%80%90%30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k81%74%68%64%60%58%55%
Saab 9-5Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights5.6%6.1%0.9×
Headlight bulbs & units5.0%4.2%1.2×
Headlight aim4.9%6.1%0.8×
Tyre damage & cracking4.6%4.0%1.2×
Engine warning light4.1%2.1%1.9×
Handbrake performance3.5%3.5%1.0×
Tyre tread depth2.9%3.7%0.8×
Windscreen wipers2.5%3.2%0.8×
Brake pipes2.4%2.6%1.0×
Anti-roll bar links1.8%1.6%1.1×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn57.3
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction50.4
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements49.3
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning41.0
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED30.3
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements29.0
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement26.7
A tyre seriously damaged26.0
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 9-51 engine68.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,40768.8%Beats 75%B
2010 Saab 9-53 engines69.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,51469.8%Beats 83%A
1.9 Diesel1,14664.1%Beats 67%B
2.3 Petrol1,06973.6%Beats 94%A
2009 Saab 9-52 engines66.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel3,25961.3%Beats 63%B
2.3 Petrol2,31373.4%Beats 94%A
2008 Saab 9-52 engines64.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel5,52361.3%Beats 69%B
2.3 Petrol3,99669.6%Beats 91%A
2007 Saab 9-53 engines63.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Petrol5,67166.4%Beats 85%A
1.9 Diesel5,45159.7%Beats 67%B
2.0 Petrol1,54463.5%Beats 75%B
2006 Saab 9-53 engines61.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Petrol6,23163.6%Beats 81%A
1.9 Diesel5,10060.1%Beats 73%B
2.0 Petrol2,36561.1%Beats 70%B
2005 Saab 9-53 engines57.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Petrol4,81461.4%Beats 77%B
2.2 Diesel3,93053.0%Beats 56%C
2.0 Petrol3,91558.0%Beats 65%B
2004 Saab 9-53 engines57.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Petrol5,24161.2%Beats 79%B
2.0 Petrol2,99955.7%Beats 61%B
2.2 Diesel2,85051.9%Beats 56%C
2003 Saab 9-53 engines56.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Petrol4,05158.0%Beats 70%B
2.0 Petrol1,67955.9%Beats 63%B
2.2 Diesel1,12849.5%Beats 50%C
2002 Saab 9-52 engines56.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Petrol3,82156.7%Beats 65%B
2.0 Petrol1,86755.7%Beats 61%B
2001 Saab 9-52 engines61.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Petrol2,74862.3%Beats 80%B
2.0 Petrol1,96360.0%Beats 71%B
2000 Saab 9-52 engines60.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Petrol2,20760.8%Beats 73%B
2.0 Petrol1,75160.9%Beats 72%B
1999 Saab 9-52 engines58.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,33757.7%Beats 60%C
2.3 Petrol1,32958.9%Beats 62%B

FAQ

What is the Saab 9-5 MOT pass rate?

61.2% of MOT tests on the Saab 9-5 were passed first time, based on 96,219 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1999–2011. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 54.3% of the time.

Is the Saab 9-5 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 72% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Saab 9-5 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2010 9-5 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 83% of cars on UK roads. The 1999 does worst: it beats 61%.

Which Saab 9-5 engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.3 Petrol does best: it beats 80% of cars on UK roads. The 1.9 Diesel does worst: it beats 68%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Saab 9-5?

The most common failure items are sidelights, headlight bulbs & units, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, engine warning light 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.