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Saab 9-5 YS3G (2010-2012) reliability

At a glance

Saab 9-5 YS3G built around 2011: about average at the MOT

Saab 9-5 YS3G models built around 2011 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Saab 9-5 YS3G?

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Key figure

24% of MOT tests on Saab 9-5 YS3G models built around 2011 ended in a fail (retests included), against 25% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Saab 9-5 YS3G models built around 2011 involves the tyres.

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2010-2012SaloonDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 1,093 tests of 9-5 models registered 2010-2012.

About 1 in 12 9-5 YS3G MOTs (8.1%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2011 (14 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 620 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 6.2% and 10.5%. 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 9-5 YS3G MOTs (4.5%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2011 (14 years old).

Based on 620 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 3.1% and 6.4%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

YS3G fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
8920.2%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
62023.5%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
38424.0%

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 15 years old.

How the 9-5 YS3G compares

At each age below, see how the 9-5 YS3G holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 4,817 tests across 2 Saab models, built around 2011 (14 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSaab average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
8920.2%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
62023.5%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
38424.0%

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.

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 springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks 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.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the 9-5 YS3G.

  1. 1

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.5%

    Lower fail rate: 18.5%, against 23.5% for the Saab 9-5 YS3G, both built around 2011.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,081 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  2. 2

    Volvo S60

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.2%
    Dangerous
    7.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    75.8%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 5.2%, against 8.1% for the Saab 9-5 YS3G.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,849 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  3. 3

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.6%
    Dangerous
    6.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    No clear edge over the Saab 9-5 YS3G on these figures.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    8,066 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  4. 4

    BMW 5 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.4%
    Dangerous
    6.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    Lower fail rate: 21.4%, against 23.5% for the Saab 9-5 YS3G, both built around 2011.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    12,637 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

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

4 recalls in all

No recall notices match this build period.

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

How 9-5 YS3G cars have aged

How 9-5 YS3G 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%101112131415Age at MOTBuilt around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (384 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 20.5% (346 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 22.0% (332 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 20.7% (232 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.3% (218 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (528 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 24.0% (508 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 23.4% (435 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.1% (402 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 24.0% (384 tests, 2025 data)2010
First registered around 2011First registered around 2010
YS3G variants compared
All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common issues on Saab 9-5 models of this age

This list covers every Saab 9-5 built around 2011, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the YS3G 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

    17.9%
    Advisory: 174Fail: 16 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    16.6%
    Advisory: 171Fail: 2 (1% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    12.4%
    Advisory: 78Fail: 1 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.3%
    Advisory: 95Fail: 10 (10% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    10.2%
    Advisory: 60Fail: 25 (29% of the times it was found)

Based on 620 tests

Looking at a Saab 9-5 YS3G?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2011 (14 years old), the Saab 9-5 YS3G (2010-2012) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 620 14-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 1,093 MOT tests on Saab 9-5 models first registered between 2010-2012. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.