Used car guide

2003 Saab 9-3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Saab 9-3s, from 784 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

784MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
4,900typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Saab 9-3s than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Engine oil leaks1.7× usual
    Saab 9-3
    27.6% All 2003 cars
    16.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Better than most

Rust around suspension or steering mountings: 3.2% here, against 6.6% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Saab 9-3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    35% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    30% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    27% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    13% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Saab 9-3?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20112,245Suspension 44%
20103,225Suspension 45%
20093,316Suspension 43%
20085,039Suspension 44%
20075,777Suspension 43%
20064,425Suspension 48%
20052,853Suspension 48%
20041,859Suspension 47%
2002712Suspension 35%
2001650Brakes 34%
2000597Brakes 36%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Saab 9-3s registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score