Diesel Saab 9-5: MOT pass rate

70.5% of diesel Saab 9-5s pass the MOT first time, measured across 2,438 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 130,948.

Diesel against the other Saab 9-5 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Saab 9-5 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 70.9%, and this diesel version sits 0.2 points below the 70.7% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. 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 diesel Saab 9-5 had covered 130,948 miles at test, against 122,061 for the petrol. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

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 9-5 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Saab 9-5

1. Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit, 2.4% of tests (8.81x the national rate for this defect)
2. 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, 3.6% of tests (3.8x the national rate for this defect)
3. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 6.1% of tests (2.74x the national rate for this defect)
4. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 3.5% of tests (2.66x the national rate for this defect)
5. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 2.9% of tests (2.29x the national rate for this defect)
6. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 1.9% of tests (1.79x the national rate for this defect)
7. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2.1% of tests (1.73x the national rate for this defect)
8. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.9% of tests (1.66x the national rate for this defect)
9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 7.8% of tests (1.55x the national rate for this defect)
10. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.2% of tests (1.31x the national rate for this defect)

From 2,455 DVSA-tracked diesel Saab 9-5 tests, 2024, split out from the Saab 9-5's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 3.82% 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 diesel Saab 9-5

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

1. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 8.5% of tests (6.65x the national rate for this defect)
2. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 30.3% of tests (5.86x the national rate for this defect)
3. 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, 6.5% of tests (4.27x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution., 3.4% of tests (3.99x the national rate for this defect)
5. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 4.2% of tests (3.34x the national rate for this defect)
6. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 8.2% of tests (3.1x the national rate for this defect)
7. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 11.2% of tests (2.37x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 30.8% of tests (2.31x the national rate for this defect), also fails
9. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 12.1% of tests (2.18x the national rate for this defect)
10. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 12.3% of tests (1.98x the national rate for this defect), also fails

From 2,455 DVSA-tracked diesel Saab 9-5 tests, 2024.

Other Saab 9-5 fuel types

• Petrol Saab 9-5 - 70.9%

All Saab 9-5 MOT data · Every model