Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 72 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 34.7%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto MOT Reliability Overview
The Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 72 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.3% and a failure rate of 34.7%, which is slightly above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto earns a "Good" reliability rating. The average Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto presents for MOT with approximately 68,394 miles on the clock. The 2010 manufacture year performs best with a 65.6% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto is Suspension, affecting 62.5% of all tests. 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. The second most common issue is Tyres at 26.4%. Brakes rounds out the top three at 19.4%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 62.5% | 45 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.4% | 19 |
| 3 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 22.2% | 16 |
| 4 | Brakes | 19.4% | 14 |
| 5 | Non-component Advisories | 4.2% | 3 |
| 6 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 2.8% | 2 |
| 7 | Registration Plates And Vin | 1.4% | 1 |
| 8 | Visibility | 1.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 68,394 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 | 9.14 | 62.5% | 45 |
| Tyres | 3.86 | 26.4% | 19 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 3.25 | 22.2% | 16 |
| Brakes | 2.84 | 19.4% | 14 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.61 | 4.2% | 3 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.41 | 2.8% | 2 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.20 | 1.4% | 1 |
| Visibility | 0.20 | 1.4% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto has 68,394 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 5.07% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto MOT Data
The Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 72 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.3% and a failure rate of 34.7%, which is slightly above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on suspension and tyres for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto is likely to perform.
Suspension — 62.5% of failures
Suspension issues account for 62.5% of MOT failures on the Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto. 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.
Tyres — 26.4% of failures
Tyres issues account for 26.4% of MOT failures on the Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Brakes — 19.4% of failures
Brakes issues account for 19.4% of MOT failures on the Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto. 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).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto?
Based on 72 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto has an overall pass rate of 65.3% (34.7% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto?
The top 3 reasons a Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto fails its MOT are: 1. Suspension (62.5%), 2. Tyres (26.4%), 3. Brakes (19.4%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto reliable?
With a 34.7% MOT failure rate, the 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition Auto?
Based on failure data, focus on: Suspension (62.5%); Tyres (26.4%); Brakes (19.4%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.