Petrol Saab 9-5: MOT pass rate

70.9% of petrol Saab 9-5s pass the MOT first time, measured across 5,406 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 122,061.

Petrol against the other Saab 9-5 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 9-5 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 70.9%, and this petrol version sits 0.2 points above 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 petrol Saab 9-5 had covered 122,061 miles at test, against 130,948 for the diesel. 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 petrol Saab 9-5

1. 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, 3.4% of tests (3.62x the national rate for this defect)
2. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 4.1% of tests (3.18x the national rate for this defect)
3. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 2.8% of tests (2.66x the national rate for this defect)
4. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 5.6% of tests (2.37x the national rate for this defect)
5. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 2.4% of tests (2.34x the national rate for this defect)
6. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 2.4% of tests (1.82x the national rate for this defect)
7. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 3.9% of tests (1.75x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 7.7% of tests (1.53x the national rate for this defect)
9. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 1.8% of tests (1.44x the national rate for this defect)
10. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.5% of tests (1.26x the national rate for this defect)

From 5,444 DVSA-tracked petrol Saab 9-5 tests, 2024, split out from the Saab 9-5's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 3.25% 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 9-5

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

1. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 12.8% of tests (10.04x the national rate for this defect)
2. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 31.2% of tests (6.04x 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, 8.3% of tests (5.49x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 30.2% of tests (5.43x the national rate for this defect)
5. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 4.9% of tests (3.91x the national rate for this defect)
6. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 9.2% of tests (3.46x the national rate for this defect)
7. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 15.3% of tests (3.25x the national rate for this defect)
8. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 9.1% of tests (3.2x the national rate for this defect), also fails
9. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 16.7% of tests (2.69x the national rate for this defect), also fails
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 30.8% of tests (2.3x the national rate for this defect), also fails

From 5,444 DVSA-tracked petrol Saab 9-5 tests, 2024.

Other Saab 9-5 fuel types

• Diesel Saab 9-5 - 70.5%

All Saab 9-5 MOT data · Every model