Saab 9-3 common problems and MOT pass rate
In 2025, DVSA recorded 32,418 initial MOT tests on the Saab 9-3 in Great Britain, and 63.6% passed first time. Here is where the rest failed.
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Saab 9-3 at the MOT, 2025
- Initial MOT tests
- 32,418
- Passed first timeAll cars and vans: 72.1%
- 63.6%
- Failed at firstIncluding 5.4% repaired at the test and passed (PRS)
- 36.4%
- Had a dangerous defectAll cars and vans: 7.3%
- 9.2%
- Licensed in the UKEnd of 2026 Q2, plus 16,390 off the road (SORN)
- 26,468
Contains DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, year 2025.
Failure areas
Where the 9-3 fails its MOT
The share of initial tests in 2025 with at least one fail or PRS item in each part of the MOT. A test can fail in more than one area, so these do not add up to the fail rate.
1Suspension
15.3%
Springs, shock absorbers, suspension arms and bushes, anti-roll bars, wheel bearings and axlesAll cars and vans: 9.0%
2Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
13.2%
Headlamps and their aim, brake lights, indicators, fog and reversing lamps, warning lights, battery and wiringAll cars and vans: 10.8%
3Brakes
9.9%
Pedal and handbrake, pipes and hoses, discs, pads and drums, and how well the car stopsAll cars and vans: 6.4%
4Tyres
6.4%
Tread depth, cuts and bulges, the right size and type, valves and tyre pressure warning systemsAll cars and vans: 6.2%
5Body, chassis and structure
6.0%
Corrosion and damage to the structure, the exhaust system, fuel system, doors, seats, towbar, bumpers and engine mountingsAll cars and vans: 3.3%
6Noise, emissions and leaks
5.8%
Exhaust emissions and smoke, exhaust noise and fluid leaksAll cars and vans: 3.2%
7Visibility
5.3%
The driver's view, windscreen damage, wipers, washers and mirrorsAll cars and vans: 4.4%
8Steering
2.2%
Steering rack, joints and linkages, power steering, the steering wheel and columnAll cars and vans: 2.0%
9Seat belts and airbags
1.7%
Seat belts, airbags and the airbag warning lightAll cars and vans: 1.0%
10Road wheels
0.6%
Damaged or loose wheels, wheel nuts and hubsAll cars and vans: 0.4%
This modelAll cars and vans
Parts
The parts that fail most
Share of initial tests with a fail or PRS item on each part, 2025.
- SpringsSuspension6.2%
- Brake performanceBrakes5.8%
- Exhaust emissionsEmissions and leaks5.4%
- ConditionTyres4.6%
- Anti-roll barsSuspension4.6%
- HeadlampsLamps and electrics4.1%
- Headlamp aimLamps and electrics4.0%
- Position lampsLamps and electrics3.7%
By age
Pass rate by year first used
Older cars fail more often, so compare a car with others of its year. Cars up to 25 years old; years with fewer than 250 tests are left out.
| First used | Tests | Passed first time | Dangerous defect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 2,259 | 66.8% | 8.2% |
| 2010 | 3,232 | 65.9% | 8.7% |
| 2009 | 3,338 | 65.2% | 8.7% |
| 2008 | 5,026 | 63.9% | 9.6% |
| 2007 | 5,783 | 63.3% | 10.2% |
| 2006 | 4,411 | 60.7% | 10.0% |
| 2005 | 2,839 | 61.0% | 9.4% |
| 2004 | 1,858 | 58.8% | 8.9% |
| 2003 | 777 | 63.7% | 7.9% |
| 2002 | 707 | 69.6% | 8.8% |
| 2001 | 651 | 64.8% | 9.7% |
| 2000 | 598 | 65.4% | 7.0% |
Mileage
9-3 mileage by age
The median reading at the test: half the cars of that age had covered more, half less. Estimated from 1,000-mile bands, for cars up to 25 years old.
A car well above or below the typical figure is not a problem in itself, but the readings should rise steadily from one MOT to the next. A fall, or a long gap, is worth asking about.
Check a car's mileage record| Age at test | Median mileage | Readings |
|---|---|---|
| 13 years | 103,100 miles | 935 |
| 14 years | 111,400 miles | 3,323 |
| 15 years | 110,300 miles | 2,795 |
| 16 years | 116,800 miles | 4,322 |
| 17 years | 117,900 miles | 5,718 |
| 18 years | 114,100 miles | 5,031 |
| 19 years | 112,500 miles | 3,563 |
| 20 years | 110,900 miles | 2,328 |
| 21 years | 108,600 miles | 1,246 |
| 22 years | 104,900 miles | 690 |
| 23 years | 102,600 miles | 649 |
| 24 years | 101,900 miles | 669 |
| 25 years | 104,600 miles | 562 |
Checking a particular 9-3?
Averages tell you what to look at. The registration tells you about this car: every MOT since 2005 with its failures and advisories, each mileage reading, and whether it is taxed.
Questions
Saab 9-3: common questions
Contains DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, year 2025.