Petrol Saab 9-3: MOT pass rate

69.8% of petrol Saab 9-3s pass the MOT first time, measured across 20,130 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 106,793.

Petrol against the other Saab 9-3 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the Saab 9-3 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 69.8%, and this petrol version sits 1.2 points above the 68.6% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The petrol Saab 9-3 is the stronger side of this model on MOT data. Still judge the individual car, but the fuel type is a mild point in its favour. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average petrol Saab 9-3 had covered 106,793 miles at test, against 127,829 for the diesel. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Saab 9-3 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a petrol Saab 9-3

1. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 2.7% of tests (2.66x the national rate for this defect)
2. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 5.2% of tests (2.29x the national rate for this defect)
3. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 2.4% of tests (2.28x the national rate for this defect)
4. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2.4% of tests (1.96x the national rate for this defect)
5. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 2.5% of tests (1.91x the national rate for this defect)
6. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 3% of tests (1.62x the national rate for this defect)
7. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.7% of tests (1.62x the national rate for this defect)
8. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.7% of tests (1.59x the national rate for this defect)
9. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 3.3% of tests (1.48x the national rate for this defect)
10. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.7% of tests (1.3x the national rate for this defect)

From 20,284 DVSA-tracked petrol Saab 9-3 tests, 2024, split out from the Saab 9-3's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a petrol Saab 9-3

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 6.9% of tests (5.46x the national rate for this defect)
2. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 21% of tests (3.77x the national rate for this defect)
3. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 19.1% of tests (3.7x the national rate for this defect)
4. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 3.7% of tests (3.34x the national rate for this defect)
5. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 8.6% of tests (3.01x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 6.5% of tests (2.45x the national rate for this defect)
7. 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, 3.3% of tests (2.2x the national rate for this defect)
8. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 9.1% of tests (1.92x the national rate for this defect), also fails
9. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 6% of tests (1.53x the national rate for this defect)
10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 17.1% of tests (1.4x the national rate for this defect)

From 20,284 DVSA-tracked petrol Saab 9-3 tests, 2024.

Other Saab 9-3 fuel types

• Diesel Saab 9-3 - 67.1%

All Saab 9-3 MOT data · Every model