Used car guide

2008 Saab 9-3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Saab 9-3s, from 5,039 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,039MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,100typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for anti-roll bar bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Saab 9-3s than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints2.8× usual
    Saab 9-3
    2.8% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Front struts2.4× usual
    Saab 9-3
    2.2% All 2008 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

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

  • Handbrake performance1.9× usual
    Saab 9-3
    2.1% All 2008 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.3% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars. Sidelights: 3.2% here, against 7.4% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 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.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Brakes
    33% 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
    26% 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
    18% 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
    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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20112,245Suspension 44%
20103,225Suspension 45%
20093,316Suspension 43%
20075,777Suspension 43%
20064,425Suspension 48%
20052,853Suspension 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 2008 Saab 9-3s registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score