1998 Saab 9-3 Se Tid MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 9-3 Se Tid models manufactured in 1998, based on 88 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1998 Saab 9-3 Se Tid MOT Analysis
The 1998 Saab 9-3 Se Tid has an MOT pass rate of 45.5% based on 88 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 153,637 miles on the odometer. With a 54.5% failure rate, the 1998 9-3 Se Tid is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1998 Saab 9-3 Se Tid is Suspension, responsible for 3.4% of failures. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs range from £200–500. Body, Structure and General Items is the second most common issue at 3.4%. Brakes follows at 3.4%.
Top failures specific to 1998 models only. The overall 9-3 Se Tid page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 3.4% | 3 |
| 2 | Body, Structure And General Items | 3.4% | 3 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.4% | 3 |
| 4 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 2.3% | 2 |
| 5 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 2.3% | 2 |
| 6 | Driver's View Of The Road | 2.3% | 2 |
| 7 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 2.3% | 2 |
| 8 | Tyres | 1.1% | 1 |
| 9 | Non-component Advisories | 1.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 153,637 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 0.22 | 3.4% | 3 |
| Body & Structure | 0.22 | 3.4% | 3 |
| Brakes | 0.22 | 3.4% | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 0.15 | 2.3% | 2 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 0.15 | 2.3% | 2 |
| Visibility | 0.15 | 2.3% | 2 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.15 | 2.3% | 2 |
| Tyres | 0.07 | 1.1% | 1 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.07 | 1.1% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1998 Saab 9-3 Se Tid has an MOT pass rate of 45.5% based on 88 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 153,637 miles on the odometer. With a 54.5% failure rate, the 1998 9-3 Se Tid is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1998 Saab 9-3 Se Tid, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to suspension: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks. With an average mileage of 153,637 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Suspension — 3.4% of failures
Suspension issues account for 3.4% of MOT failures on 1998 Saab 9-3 Se Tid models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Body, Structure and General Items — 3.4% of failures
Body, Structure and General Items issues account for 3.4% of MOT failures on 1998 Saab 9-3 Se Tid models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Brakes — 3.4% of failures
Brakes issues account for 3.4% of MOT failures on 1998 Saab 9-3 Se Tid models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.