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Saab 9-3 vs Saab 9-5 linear auto: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Saab 9-3
74%
MOT pass rate · 155,267 vehicles
Saab 9-5 linear auto
78%
MOT pass rate · 22 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Saab 9-3 (74%) and Saab 9-5 linear auto (78%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Saab 9-3 Saab 9-5 linear auto
MOT pass rate 74% 78% ✓
MOT failure rate 26% 22% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 1.9 1.7 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 1% ✓ 2%
Average mileage 130,302 mi 92,091 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 155,267 22

Most common faults

Saab 9-3

  1. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  4. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  5. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
  6. Oil leak

Saab 9-5 linear auto

  1. Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))
  2. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))
  4. Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))
  5. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  6. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Saab 9-3 (74%) and Saab 9-5 linear auto (78%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Saab 9-3 report Full Saab 9-5 linear auto report Most reliable cars

Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.