Used car guide

2011 Saab 9-3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Saab 9-3s, from 2,245 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,245MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
7,900typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Saab 9-3s than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Sub-frame2.5× usual
    Saab 9-3
    14.8% All 2011 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.3% of all 2011 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.8× usual
    Saab 9-3
    8.6% All 2011 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Flexible brake hoses2.6× usual
    Saab 9-3
    5% All 2011 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.2% here, against 6.1% of all 2011 cars. Sidelights: 1.6% here, against 5.8% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 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
    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.

  • Brakes
    29% 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
    20% 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
    11% 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
    10% 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
20103,225Suspension 45%
20093,316Suspension 43%
20085,039Suspension 44%
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 2011 Saab 9-3s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score