2003 Saab 9-3 MOT pass rate: 68.2% (2,803 tests)
Is the 2003 9-3 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2003-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 66.8% +2.4 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 68.2% +3.5 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 70.4% +4.3 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2003 9-3
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 728 | 24.8% |
| 2 | Brakes | 612 | 20.9% |
| 3 | Suspension | 569 | 19.4% |
| 4 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 219 | 7.5% |
| 5 | Tyres | 208 | 7.1% |
| 6 | Body, chassis, structure | 200 | 6.8% |
All 9-3 years compared
| 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 (this page) | 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 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Saab 9-3 years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2003 Saab 9-3 reliable?
2003-registered examples passed 68.2% of their MOT tests (2,803 tests, 2023–2025), +3.2 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 23 years old with a median 108,142 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2003 9-3?
The median tested example shows 108,142 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.