Saab 9-3 MOT pass rate: 69.0% (30,978 tests, 2025)

The Saab 9-3 passed 69.0% of its 30,978 MOT tests in 2025 — 8.5 points below the UK average of 77.5%. The median tested example was 18 years old with 112,596 miles on the clock.

69.0%Pass rate (2025)

30,978MOT tests analysed

112,596 miMedian mileage at test

18 yrsMedian age at test

How the 9-3 compares

Saab 9-3

69.0%

UK average (all Class 4 vehicles)

77.5% across 33.1 million tests

Saab average (all models)

69.4%

What fails most on the Saab 9-3

Across failed and rectified tests in 2025, these vehicle systems produced the most defects on the 9-3:

#	System	Defects recorded	Share
1	Suspension	7,078	26.6%
2	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	5,164	19.4%
3	Brakes	5,114	19.2%
4	Tyres	2,642	9.9%
5	Body, chassis, structure	2,269	8.5%
6	Noise, emissions and leaks	1,999	7.5%

Pre-MOT checklist for 9-3 owners

Based on the failure profile above, ten minutes with a torch before your test removes the most likely fail items:

Bounce each corner and listen for clonks over speed bumps — suspension is this model’s (and the UK’s) top failure system
Walk round with all lights on: one blown bulb is the most avoidable fail there is
Feel for a spongy pedal or pulling to one side; check pad wear through the wheel spokes if visible
Check tread with the 20p test and inspect sidewalls for cracking — tyres close to the limit are the country’s most common advisory
Look underneath for corrosion around sills and subframes, especially on older cars

Check the engine before the tester does

A stored fault code with the engine light on is an automatic Major defect. Scan and clear resolved faults before booking.

Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers

9-3 pass rate by registration year

Strongest age-adjusted years: 2002. Full ranking and method: Saab 9-3 years to avoid.

Registration year	Tests	Pass rate	Vs same-age	Median mileage
2001	2,287	70.5%	+3.9 pts	102,469
2002	2,483	71.6%	+5.9 pts	104,305
2003	2,803	68.2%	+3.2 pts	108,142
2004	6,638	66.2%	+1.9 pts	110,520
2005	10,164	66.2%	+1.7 pts	112,168
2006	15,847	65.7%	+1.3 pts	114,925
2007	20,014	67.4%	+2.3 pts	114,761
2008	17,119	68.7%	+3.6 pts	119,978
2009	10,703	69.9%	+3.5 pts	109,395
2010	9,708	70.5%	+3.2 pts	106,816
2011	6,524	70.1%	+0.9 pts	107,130

Check a specific 9-3 before you buy

Pass rates describe the model; they can’t tell you about the one car you’re looking at. Run its plate through our free MOT history check to see its personal record of failures, advisories and mileage readings.

Other Saab models

9-571.5% pass rate · 6,661 tests 90069.3% pass rate · 2,079 tests

FAQs

What is the MOT pass rate for a Saab 9-3?

In 2025, 69.0% of 30,978 first MOT tests on the Saab 9-3 were passes (UK average: 77.5%). Data: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

What does the 9-3 fail its MOT on most?

The biggest defect group is suspension (26.6% of its recorded defects), followed by lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment.

Is the Saab 9-3 reliable?

MOT pass rate is one lens on durability: at 69.0% it performs below the national average at a median age of 18 years and 112,596 miles. Always check the individual car's history too.

Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 extract (Class 4 initial tests only; retests excluded). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures rounded to one decimal place.