2008 · 16 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2008 Saab 9-5 MOT pass rate and common faults

857 MOT tests in 2024. 64.1% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

113Well above average
Passed first time64.1%
Failed or needed repairs35.9%
Typical mileage at test120,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 857 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working6.8%
  2. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.7%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.9%
  4. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.8%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
    39 marked dangerous
  6. Stop lamp: not working2.2%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.9%
    20 marked dangerous
  8. Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value1.9%
    20 marked dangerous
  9. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.6%
    19 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics22.2%
  2. Brakes19.0%
  3. Suspension14.5%
  4. Emissions & leaks11.8%
  5. Tyres9.0%
  6. Body & chassis5.1%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.5%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine20.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.6%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.6%
  5. Suspension arm: corroded and seriously weakened9.3%

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 2008 Saab 9-5?

In 2024, 64.1% of 2008 Saab 9-5 cars passed their MOT first time, across 857 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 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 2008 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).