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MOT reliability

Saab 9-3

155,267 vehicles · 2,296,352 completed MOT tests analysed
74%
MOT pass rate

Based on 155,267 Saab 9-3 vehicles and 2,296,352 completed MOT tests, the Saab 9-3 has an overall 74% pass rate, with an average recorded mileage of 130,302 miles.

155,267
Vehicles
2,296,352
MOT tests
8,396
Avg miles / year
1.9
Faults per test
1%
Dangerous-fault share

Saab 9-3 problem areas

Where faults occur most across all Saab 9-3 MOT tests:

  • Other78%
  • Tyres, wheels & suspension16%
  • Brakes9%
  • Emissions & nuisance4%
  • Lamps & electrical4%
  • Seatbelts & equipment3%
  • Body & structure2%
  • Steering2%

Saab 9-3 pass rate by age

How the Saab 9-3's MOT pass rate changes as it ages (buckets with 20+ tests).

Age (years)TestsPass rate
110390%
22,67885%
3129,15686%
4141,48483%
5157,04280%
6172,38877%
7186,19775%
8194,65273%
9191,95172%
10185,66071%
11174,34370%
12156,48469%
13136,46969%
14115,54269%
1595,28569%
1675,72869%
1758,73769%
1843,00570%
1929,08370%
2018,75869%

Fuel types: Petrol (84,265), Diesel (70,818), LPG (131), Other (38), Gas Bi-Fuel (8), Electric (7)

Most common Saab 9-3 MOT faults

These are the faults and advisories recorded most often across Saab 9-3 MOT tests:

  1. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (104,121 times)
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (98,448 times)
  3. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (66,610 times)
  4. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (65,574 times)
  5. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i)) (53,656 times)
  6. Oil leak (44,940 times)
  7. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g) (40,069 times)
  8. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g) (38,891 times)
  9. Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d) (37,870 times)
  10. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (32,336 times)
  11. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (31,710 times)
  12. Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (30,358 times)
  13. Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay (28,359 times)
  14. Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1) (27,757 times)
  15. Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt (27,215 times)

Saab 9-3 pass rate by registration year

YearVehiclesTestsPass rateAvg mileage
2016 1 11 73% 71,544
2014 3 38 74% 51,774
2013 5 38 87% 72,311
2012 184 2,464 80% 87,952
2011 2,996 40,856 78% 118,470
2010 4,457 66,576 77% 120,395
2009 6,003 92,970 76% 123,396
2008 12,914 197,165 76% 133,554
2007 18,989 301,215 75% 134,013
2006 21,137 337,288 73% 135,301
2005 20,379 309,935 73% 133,475
2004 14,063 224,715 73% 127,812
2003 9,269 140,816 73% 127,618
2002 8,116 122,565 73% 128,470
2001 10,025 134,831 73% 126,461
2000 9,916 127,865 73% 126,438
1999 9,005 111,076 71% 128,100
1998 7,535 85,474 70% 132,685
1997 11 161 65% 122,411
1996 4 33 73% 144,248
1995 7 29 76% 133,987
1994 2 14 64% 95,349
1990 1 18 67% 87,134
1988 1 2 50% 139,063
1973 2 17 65% 52,806
1971 1 8 75% 158,093

Saab 9-3 reliability FAQ

Across 155,267 Saab 9-3 vehicles in our MOT data, 74% pass the MOT (a 26% failure rate), with about 1.9 faults or advisories recorded per test.

The most frequently recorded Saab 9-3 MOT issues are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1); Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1); Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1).

The typical Saab 9-3 in our data has covered around 130,302 miles.

Compare the Saab 9-3

See how the Saab 9-3 stacks up against other Saab models on MOT reliability:

9-3 vs 9-5 9-3 vs 900 9-3 vs 99 gl 9-3 vs Unknown

Check a specific Saab 9-3

Enter a registration to see that exact vehicle's full MOT history, advisories and recurring faults.

See all Saab models · Learn about common MOT failures · what an MOT checks