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Saab 9-3 YS3F (facelift) (2003-2012) reliability

At a glance

Saab 9-3 YS3F (facelift) built around 2012: about average at the MOT

Saab 9-3 YS3F (facelift) models built around 2012 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Saab 9-3 YS3F (facelift) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

24% of MOT tests on Saab 9-3 YS3F (facelift) models built around 2012 ended in a fail (retests included), against 24% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Saab 9-3 YS3F (facelift) models built around 2012 involves the tyres.

Saab 9-3 YS3F (facelift)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2003-2012SaloonDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 39,405 tests of 9-3 models registered 2003-2012.

About 1 in 15 9-3 YS3F (facelift) MOTs (6.1%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2012 (13 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 972 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 4.7% and 7.8%. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 9-3 YS3F (facelift) MOTs (5.8%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2012 (13 years old).

Based on 972 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 4.5% and 7.4%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

YS3F (facelift) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
6420.3%
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
52226.6%

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.

How the 9-3 YS3F (facelift) compares

At each age below, see how the 9-3 YS3F (facelift) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 1,061 tests across 2 Saab models, built around 2012 (13 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSaab average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
6420.3%
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
52226.6%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

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.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the 9-3 YS3F (facelift).

  1. 1

    Volkswagen Jetta

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    84.6%

    No clear edge over the Saab 9-3 YS3F (facelift) on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,638 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  2. 2

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.1%
    Dangerous
    5.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Lower fail rate: 19.5%, against 24.3% for the Saab 9-3 YS3F (facelift), both built around 2012.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    9,274 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  3. 3

    Jaguar XJ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.2%
    Dangerous
    7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.8%

    Lower fail rate: 19.3%, against 24.3% for the Saab 9-3 YS3F (facelift), both built around 2012.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,380 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  4. 4

    BMW 5 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.7%
    Dangerous
    6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    Lower fail rate: 21.0%, against 24.3% for the Saab 9-3 YS3F (facelift), both built around 2012.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    15,045 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

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.

Recall context

10 recalls in all

2 of the 10 9-3 YS3F (facelift) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 recalls

Top concerns

  • Reduced braking performance
  • Seat belt may not retract

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

How 9-3 YS3F (facelift) cars have aged

How 9-3 YS3F (facelift) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%9111315171921Age at MOTBuilt around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 24.3% (185 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 20.3% (172 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 18.8% (170 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 18.0% (150 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 22.7% (154 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 25.1% (2,697 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (2,653 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.3% (2,487 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 24.9% (2,328 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (2,167 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 26.3% (3,116 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 24.7% (2,879 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 25.1% (2,623 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.7% (2,343 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 26.9% (2,226 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 27.6% (4,590 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 26.0% (4,151 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (3,745 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 26.3% (3,345 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 26.4% (2,982 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (7,338 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 26.8% (6,358 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 27.2% (5,583 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 26.7% (4,698 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 27.0% (4,031 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 29.9% (8,818 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 28.1% (7,351 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 28.7% (6,345 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (5,120 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 27.8% (4,198 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 30.5% (7,603 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (6,351 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.5% (5,227 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 29.8% (4,108 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (3,210 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (4,891 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 29.8% (3,885 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (3,167 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.1% (2,518 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (2,044 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (3,054 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (2,469 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (1,953 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (1,584 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (1,280 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (1,274 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.9% (1,044 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (809 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (628 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 26.6% (522 tests, 2025 data)2003
First registered around 2012First registered around 2011First registered around 2010First registered around 2009
YS3F (facelift) variants compared

9-3 YS3F (facelift) variants built around 2012

The fail rate for each 9-3 YS3F (facelift) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • 9-325.4%622 tests

Petrol

  • 9-323.3%249 tests
All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common issues on Saab 9-3 models of this age

This list covers every Saab 9-3 built around 2012, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the YS3F (facelift) on its own.

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

    19.6%
    Advisory: 273Fail: 16 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    14.6%
    Advisory: 228Fail: 16 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    13.0%
    Advisory: 185Fail: 4 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    11.4%
    Advisory: 111Fail: 2 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    10.6%
    Advisory: 114Fail: 36 (24% of the times it was found)

Based on 972 tests

Looking at a Saab 9-3 YS3F (facelift) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2012 (13 years old), the Saab 9-3 YS3F (facelift) (2003-2012) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 972 13-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 39,405 MOT tests on Saab 9-3 models first registered between 2003-2012. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.