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Saab 9-3 vs Saab 900 s 16v 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 900 s 16v auto
59%
MOT pass rate · 67 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Saab 9-3 (74%) and Saab 900 s 16v auto (59%) 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 900 s 16v auto
MOT pass rate 74% ✓ 59%
MOT failure rate 26% ✓ 41%
Faults & advisories per test 1.9 ✓ 2.1
Dangerous-fault share 1% 0% ✓
Average mileage 130,302 mi 138,463 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 155,267 67

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 900 s 16v auto

  1. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Oil leak
  3. Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)
  4. Nearside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)
  5. Offside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)
  6. Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Saab 9-3 (74%) and Saab 900 s 16v auto (59%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Saab 9-3 report Full Saab 900 s 16v 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.