2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Saab 9-5 MOT pass rate and common faults

612 MOT tests in 2024. 67.3% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

115Well above average
Passed first time67.3%
Failed or needed repairs32.7%
Typical mileage at test114,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 612 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working7.2%
  2. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.9%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.8%
  4. On or after 01/07/2008: emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit2.3%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
    20 marked dangerous
  6. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.0%
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.6%
    11 marked dangerous
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
    15 marked dangerous
  9. Headlamp: not working on main beam1.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics19.3%
  2. Brakes15.2%
  3. Emissions & leaks10.9%
  4. Suspension10.0%
  5. Tyres6.5%
  6. Body & chassis3.3%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.0%
  8. Wheels1.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.8%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine15.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.3%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn9.8%
  5. Sub-frame: 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 2009 Saab 9-5?

In 2024, 67.3% of 2009 Saab 9-5 cars passed their MOT first time, across 612 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 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 2009 Saab 9-5 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 115, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).