Saab 9-3: what fails at MOT
47,000 MOT tests on the Saab 9-3 in 2024, counted. 35.8% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
35.9% of Saab 9-3 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 40.9%, so the 9-3 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (10.4% of tests), lights and electrics (8.1% of tests) and brakes (6.9% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 3,417 | 30.9% | 36.1% | 109,700 79,600 to 138,700 |
| 2010 | 4,849 | 31.7% | 38.6% | 109,600 81,300 to 139,700 |
| 2009 | 5,217 | 33.3% | 39.8% | 110,100 83,200 to 139,400 |
| 2008 | 8,446 | 34.1% | 41.5% | 121,700 94,800 to 149,300 |
| 2007 | 9,669 | 36.5% | 41.5% | 116,400 91,100 to 144,200 |
| 2006 | 7,490 | 39.3% | 42.4% | 117,000 91,600 to 144,900 |
| 2005 | 4,764 | 39.1% | 42.2% | 112,700 89,900 to 139,600 |
| 2004 | 3,021 | 41.9% | 42.3% | 111,500 88,000 to 136,500 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Saab 9-3 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 9-3 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 10.4% | 11.1% | |
| Lights and electrics | 8.1% | 13.4% | Less than most |
| Brakes | 6.9% | 7.9% | |
| Tyres | 4.4% | 4.9% | |
| Body and structure | 3.9% | 5.1% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 3.8% | 4.1% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.6% | 4.5% | |
| Steering | 1.5% | 2.4% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Coil spring4.3%
- Seat belt3.2%
- Side light2.2%
- Headlamp2.2%
- Headlamp aim2.2%
- Washers2.0%
- Footbrake2.0%
- Brake pads1.9%
- Brake test1.8%
- Exhaust system1.7%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken4.3%
- Side light: not working1.9%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
- Footbrake: excessively binding1.5%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.5%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.4%
- Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases1.4%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.3%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.3%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened8.3%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive8.0%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened6.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing6.0%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.2%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases4.4%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Saab 9-3's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.