2010 Saab 9-5 MOT pass rate: 75.5% (1,790 tests)
Is the 2010 9-5 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2010-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 75.6% +7.6 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 75.8% +8.8 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 75.1% +8.2 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 2010 9-5
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 261 | 24.7% |
| 2 | Brakes | 226 | 21.4% |
| 3 | Suspension | 210 | 19.9% |
| 4 | Tyres | 147 | 13.9% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 87 | 8.2% |
| 6 | Body, chassis, structure | 53 | 5.0% |
All 9-5 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2,248 | 68.4% | +4.1 pts | 127,248 |
| 2005 | 2,757 | 68.7% | +4.2 pts | 126,617 |
| 2006 | 2,922 | 69.0% | +4.6 pts | 125,917 |
| 2007 | 3,026 | 71.0% | +5.9 pts | 122,588 |
| 2008 | 2,601 | 71.4% | +6.2 pts | 119,842 |
| 2009 | 1,787 | 73.0% | +6.6 pts | 113,540 |
| 2010 (this page) | 1,790 | 75.5% | +8.2 pts | 106,728 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
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FAQs
Is a 2010 Saab 9-5 reliable?
2010-registered examples passed 75.5% of their MOT tests (1,790 tests, 2023–2025), +8.2 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 16 years old with a median 106,728 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2010 9-5?
The median tested example shows 106,728 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.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2010 9-5?
In this cohort petrols pass 80.5% of tests against 72.6% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
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.