2006 · 18 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2006 Saab 9-5 MOT pass rate and common faults

956 MOT tests in 2024. 63.2% passed first time, compared with 56.1% for all cars the same age.

113Well above average
Passed first time63.2%
Failed or needed repairs36.8%
Typical mileage at test126,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 956 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working5.3%
  2. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.8%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.8%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.5%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
    41 marked dangerous
  6. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.4%
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.4%
    31 marked dangerous
  8. Stop lamp: not working2.3%
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.1%
  10. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.0%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics22.9%
  2. Brakes18.8%
  3. Suspension15.6%
  4. Emissions & leaks11.3%
  5. Tyres8.9%
  6. Body & chassis6.3%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.8%
  8. Seat belts & airbags3.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine30.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.5%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded18.0%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened15.8%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn13.8%

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 2006 Saab 9-5?

In 2024, 63.2% of 2006 Saab 9-5 cars passed their MOT first time, across 956 tests. The average for all 18-year-old cars was 56.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2006 Saab 9-5?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2006 Saab 9-5 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 113, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).