Saab 9-3 MOT pass rate and common failures
In 2025, 63.6% of Saab 9-3 MOT tests were a first-time pass, across 32,358 tests in Great Britain. For all cars it was 71.5%.
Compared with cars of the same age
Older cars fail more often, so a model that’s mostly a few years old will look better than one that’s mostly 12. These figures compare like with like.
At 3–5 years
–
Too few tests at this age to say.
At 6–10 years
–
Too few tests at this age to say.
At 11 years and over
63.6%
All cars: 61.3% (2.3 points better). 32,351 tests.
Pass rate by age
Figures by age, with typical mileage
| Age (years) | Tests | First-time pass | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 98 | 70.4% | 64.4% | 76,250 miles |
| 13 | 935 | 68.9% | 62.1% | 103,750 miles |
| 14 | 3,320 | 66.7% | 60.2% | 111,250 miles |
| 15 | 2,790 | 64.7% | 58.6% | 111,250 miles |
| 16 | 4,333 | 64.3% | 57.5% | 116,250 miles |
| 17 | 5,696 | 64.0% | 57.2% | 118,750 miles |
| 18 | 5,023 | 61.7% | 57.0% | 113,750 miles |
| 19 | 3,563 | 61.3% | 57.2% | 113,750 miles |
| 20+ | 6,593 | 62.8% | 61.4% | 106,250 miles |
Typical mileage is the median reading at the test, to the nearest 2,500 miles.
What fails most often
The share of Saab 9-3 MOT tests that failed on at least one item in each area, against all cars. A test can fail on several areas at once.
| Area | 9-3 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 22.4% | 13.7% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 20.9% | 16.6% |
| Brakes | 16.1% | 10.2% |
| Tyres | 8.6% | 8.4% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.4% | 4.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.8% | 4.0% |
| Visibility | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Steering | 2.6% | 2.5% |
Most common reasons for failing
- Coil spring: fractured or broken failed 6.8% of tests · what this means
- Position lamp: not working failed 3.7% of tests · what this means
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively failed 2.8% of tests · what this means
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect failed 2.6% of tests · what this means
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick failed 2.6% of tests · what this means
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm failed 2.5% of tests
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements failed 2.4% of tests
- Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn failed 2.3% of tests · what this means
- Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases failed 2.3% of tests · what this means
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction failed 2.1% of tests · what this means
Checking a particular 9-3?
See its own MOT history, mileage record and advisories in plain English. Free, no sign-up.
About these figures
- They cover every 9-3 version DVSA records under this name (engines, trims and generations together), on its first MOT test of each visit. A “pass with rectification” (fixed within an hour) counts as a fail, as in DVSA’s own statistics.
- Cars under three years old are left out, because the few tested that young are mostly taxis.
- Fuel mix of the cars tested: petrol 56.6%, diesel 43.3%, liquefied petrolum gas (lpg) 0.0%.
- A pass rate describes the model, not any one car. How a car has been looked after matters more.
Download these figures (CSV) · Other Saab models · All makes
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data for 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Our own analysis; not produced or endorsed by DVSA.