2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Saab 9-3 MOT pass rate and common faults

910 MOT tests in 2024. 60.7% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

106Above average
Passed first time60.7%
Failed or needed repairs39.3%
Typical mileage at test110,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 910 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working4.6%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.0%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.4%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.9%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.7%
  6. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side2.7%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.7%
    33 marked dangerous
  8. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.6%
  9. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.4%
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.0%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics28.9%
  2. Brakes22.3%
  3. Suspension16.4%
  4. Body & chassis8.2%
  5. Emissions & leaks8.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.8%
  7. Tyres6.5%
  8. Seat belts & airbags3.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine28.1%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.5%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.9%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened9.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Saab 9-3?

In 2024, 60.7% of 2003 Saab 9-3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 910 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Saab 9-3?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Saab 9-3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 106, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).