2005 · 19 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2005 Saab 9-3 MOT pass rate and common faults

3,397 MOT tests in 2024. 60.6% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

107Above average
Passed first time60.6%
Failed or needed repairs39.4%
Typical mileage at test112,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,397 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.1%
  2. Position lamp: not working4.6%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.0%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.0%
    148 marked dangerous
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.0%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.4%
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.3%
  8. Washers: not working2.1%
  9. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.1%
  10. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics28.6%
  2. Brakes18.4%
  3. Suspension18.2%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.2%
  5. Body & chassis7.2%
  6. Emissions & leaks6.9%
  7. Tyres6.7%
  8. Steering3.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine19.7%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.3%
  3. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened12.7%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.2%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.9%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2005 Saab 9-3?

In 2024, 60.6% of 2005 Saab 9-3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,397 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Saab 9-3?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; position lamp: not working; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2005 Saab 9-3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 107, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).