Saab: MOT pass rate and reliability

Saab vehicles pass the MOT first time 69.1% of the time, measured across 49,043 DVSA tests. That is 7.9 points worse than the 77% national average, ranking Saab 45 of 50 major brands sold in the UK.

Bidding on a damaged Saab at Copart? Run the lot through the salvage profit analyzer for the repair cost, fees, VAT and your maximum bid. Buying a used Saab, damaged or not? Run its registration through the free vehicle history check first: these are brand averages, that page checks the exact car.

Every brand ranked

1. Ferrari - 95.9%
2. LEVC - 95.4%
3. Aston Martin - 93.2%
4. Bentley - 92.5%
5. Porsche - 88.7%
6. Lexus - 87.7%
7. Tesla - 84.8%
8. Maserati - 84.3%
9. MG - 83.9%
10. BMW - 82.5%
11. Jaguar - 81.9%
12. Abarth - 81.8%
13. Audi - 81.6%
14. MINI - 81.6%
15. Toyota - 81.3%
16. Land Rover - 80.6%
17. Skoda - 80.6%
18. Mercedes-Benz - 79.9%
19. Suzuki - 79.5%
20. Kia - 78.9%
21. Hyundai - 78.8%
22. SEAT - 78.7%
23. Subaru - 78.6%
24. Honda - 78.3%
25. Dacia - 78.3%
26. Volvo - 78.2%
27. Jeep - 78%
28. Smart - 77.6%
29. Volkswagen - 77.1%
30. Mazda - 77%
31. Mitsubishi - 76.9%
32. DS - 76.2%
33. London Taxis International - 75.5%
34. Ford - 74.8%
35. Isuzu - 73.7%
36. Nissan - 73.4%
37. Peugeot - 73.2%
38. Fiat - 73%
39. Ssangyong - 73%
40. Vauxhall - 72.4%
41. Alfa Romeo - 72.4%
42. Citroen - 70.8%
43. Iveco - 70.2%
44. Rover - 70.2%
45. Saab - 69.1%
46. Renault - 68.1%
47. Chrysler - 67.2%
48. Daihatsu - 67.1%
49. Chrysler-Jeep - 67%
50. Chevrolet - 62.8%

Saab models

• Saab 9-3 - 68.1%, 36,609 tests
• Saab 9-5 - 70.2%, 7,918 tests
• Saab 900 - 69.3%, 2,293 tests

Most common MOT failures across every Saab

Pooled across all Saab models, not just one: what actually fails on a Saab more than the UK average.

1. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 2.5% of tests (2.5x the national rate for this defect)
2. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 5.6% of tests (2.45x the national rate for this defect)
3. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 2.2% of tests (2.11x the national rate for this defect)
4. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 2.7% of tests (2.05x the national rate for this defect)
5. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2% of tests (1.61x the national rate for this defect)
6. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.9% of tests (1.58x the national rate for this defect)
7. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 2% of tests (1.54x the national rate for this defect)
8. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.5% of tests (1.5x the national rate for this defect)
9. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.4% of tests (1.4x the national rate for this defect)
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 6.7% of tests (1.33x the national rate for this defect)

From 49,404 DVSA-tracked Saab tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 4.05% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories across every Saab

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. Pooled across all Saab models, this is a different list from the failures above.

1. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 8.1% of tests (6.35x the national rate for this advisory)
2. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 20.7% of tests (4x the national rate for this advisory)
3. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 17.4% of tests (3.13x the national rate for this advisory)
4. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 8.2% of tests (2.87x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
5. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 3.2% of tests (2.85x the national rate for this advisory)
6. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 4.3% of tests (2.8x the national rate for this advisory)
7. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 6.7% of tests (2.54x the national rate for this advisory)
8. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 10% of tests (2.11x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 20.3% of tests (1.52x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 17.4% of tests (1.42x the national rate for this advisory)

From 49,404 DVSA-tracked Saab tests, 2024.

More on brand reliability

• Britain's most and least reliable car brands: MOT pass rate by manufacturer
• Which car brands beat their age on the MOT test? 33 million tests, ranked
• The cheapest, most reliable makes to buy at salvage auction

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