2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Saab 9-3 MOT pass rate and common faults

2,200 MOT tests in 2024. 58.7% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time58.7%
Failed or needed repairs41.3%
Typical mileage at test111,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,200 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working4.8%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.0%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.9%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.4%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.7%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
    80 marked dangerous
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.4%
    78 marked dangerous
  8. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.3%
  9. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.2%
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.2%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics29.3%
  2. Suspension20.5%
  3. Brakes18.6%
  4. Tyres8.0%
  5. Emissions & leaks7.9%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.3%
  7. Body & chassis7.1%
  8. Steering4.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine25.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.1%
  3. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened14.0%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.8%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Saab 9-3?

In 2024, 58.7% of 2004 Saab 9-3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,200 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Saab 9-3?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Saab 9-3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).