2006 · 18 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2006 Saab 9-3 MOT pass rate and common faults

5,341 MOT tests in 2024. 59.5% passed first time, compared with 56.1% for all cars the same age.

106Above average
Passed first time59.5%
Failed or needed repairs40.5%
Typical mileage at test115,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 5,341 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.4%
  2. Position lamp: not working4.2%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.2%
    218 marked dangerous
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.0%
  5. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.7%
  6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.5%
  7. Washers: not working2.4%
  8. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.3%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
    180 marked dangerous
  10. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension21.4%
  2. Lights & electrics21.3%
  3. Brakes18.6%
  4. Body & chassis8.7%
  5. Tyres7.9%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.7%
  7. Emissions & leaks7.6%
  8. Steering2.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.2%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.9%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.9%
  4. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened12.5%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.0%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2006 Saab 9-3?

In 2024, 59.5% of 2006 Saab 9-3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 5,341 tests. The average for all 18-year-old cars was 56.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2006 Saab 9-3?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; position lamp: not working; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2006 Saab 9-3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 106, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).