SAAB 9-3 MOT pass rate
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.
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 |
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".
- 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.