Used car guide

2005 Saab 9-3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Saab 9-3s, from 2,853 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,853MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
5,600typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Saab 9-3s than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Sub-frame2.4× usual
    Saab 9-3
    16% All 2005 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 2.6% here, against 14.9% of all 2005 cars. Rust around suspension or steering mountings: 2.2% here, against 6% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Saab 9-3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    32% 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.

  • Tyres
    31% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    25% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% 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?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20112,245Suspension 44%
20103,225Suspension 45%
20093,316Suspension 43%
20085,039Suspension 44%
20075,777Suspension 43%
20064,425Suspension 48%
20041,859Suspension 47%
2003784Suspension 44%
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 2005 Saab 9-3s registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score