Saab 9-3 MOT pass rate and common problems
70.0% of 55,956 Saab 9-3 MOT tests pass.
The 9-3's pass rate of 70.0% is in line with the average across all Saab models, at 70.4%.
The Saab 9-3 passes 70.0% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Saab 9-3?
This is the average across every Saab 9-3 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Saab’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 73.1% at 10–15 years to 69.3% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 73.1% | 10,728 | 110,838 miles |
| 15+ years | 69.3% | 45,226 | 116,717 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Saab 9-3
The most common reason the Saab 9-3 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 49.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Fractured or broken".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 49.6% | Fractured or broken |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 46.4% | Not working |
| Brakes | 40.5% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 19.3% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Body, chassis, structure | 17.4% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 15.1% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Visibility | 14.7% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 6.2% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.2% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Road Wheels | 1.6% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Saab 9-3: what to check
These checks follow the Saab 9-3’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Saab 9-3 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 73.1% to 69.3%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 89.9% down to 79.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 49.6% of failed Saab 9-3 MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 46.4% of failed Saab 9-3 MOTs. 18.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 8.5% at 10–15 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 40.5% of failed Saab 9-3 MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 19.3% of failed Saab 9-3 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 17.4% of failed Saab 9-3 MOTs. 6.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 3.4% at 10–15 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Saab service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Saab models
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Saab 9-3?
- 70.0% of Saab 9-3 MOT tests pass, based on 55,956 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Saab 9-3?
- The most common reason the Saab 9-3 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 49.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Fractured or broken".
- What are the common problems with the Saab 9-3?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Saab 9-3 are suspension; lights and electrics; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Saab 9-3?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Saab 9-3's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Saab service history guide for how to check and keep one.