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Saab 9-3 reliability by build year

Coverage 2003-20121 named generationSaloonDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Saab 9-3 built around 2008: about average at the MOT

Saab 9-3 models built around 2008 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Saab 9-3 by number plate

Key figure

27% of MOT tests on Saab 9-3 models built around 2008 ended in a fail (retests included), against 27% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Saab 9-3 models built around 2008 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Saab 9-3's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your 9-3's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

9-3 YS3F (facelift)

YS3F (facelift) (2003-2012)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLDIESEL

24.3% fail rate, built around 2012 (13 years old)

Likely between 21.7% and 27.1%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 27.7%)

From 972 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Saab 9-3.

See every build year for the Saab 9-3

By age

Saab 9-3 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Saab 9-3 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
6619.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
97224.3%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
4,19725.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
3,65126.8%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5,65327.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
7,49927.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
6,88028.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
4,95828.9%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
3,24829.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,76130.0%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
88225.6%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
77525.7%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
81827.3%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,32726.9%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 21 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 17-year-old Saab 9-3 models

These issues come from 17-year-old Saab 9-3 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    20.6%
    Advisory: 2,191Fail: 175 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    18.7%
    Advisory: 1,410Fail: 19 (1% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    17.1%
    Advisory: 1,568Fail: 390 (20% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    14.6%
    Advisory: 1,742Fail: 44 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    14.1%
    Advisory: 1,514Fail: 18 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 7,499 MOT tests on 17-year-old Saab 9-3 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 17-year-old Saab 9-3 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension32%
  2. Suspension + Tyres29%
  3. Brakes + Tyres25%
  4. Lighting + Suspension21%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 4,453 MOT tests on Saab 9-3 cars built around 2008 (17 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Saab 9-3.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

10 recalls in all

3 of the 10 Saab 9-3 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • Reduced braking performance
  • Fuel pump mounted pipe retaining tabs may fail
  • Seat belt may not retract

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21%

    Lower fail rate: 21.0%, against 27.5% for the Saab 9-3, both built around 2008.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,033 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  2. 2

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.1%

    Lower fail rate: 23.1%, against 27.5% for the Saab 9-3, both built around 2008.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,065 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  3. 3

    Chrysler 300

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.3%

    No clear edge over the Saab 9-3 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,092 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  4. 4

    Jaguar XJ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.3%
    Dangerous
    5.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.8%

    Lower fail rate: 22.4%, against 27.5% for the Saab 9-3, both built around 2008.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,288 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2008 (17 years old), the Saab 9-3 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 7,499 17-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Saab 9-3 ever sold: 42,687 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2008 (17 years old): 7,499 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.