Used car guide

2003 Saab 9-5: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Saab 9-5s, from 382 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 382 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

382MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
5,900typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Saab 9-5s than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Engine oil leaks2× usual
    Saab 9-5
    31.7% All 2003 cars
    16.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, 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.

  • Seat belts5.7× usual
    Saab 9-5
    10.2% All 2003 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

By area

The share of 2003 Saab 9-5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    49% 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
    42% 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
    40% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    34% 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
    29% 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
    16% 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 9-5?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011301Suspension 33%
2010573Suspension 33%
2009577Suspension 42%
2008776Suspension 45%
2007868Suspension 47%
2006798Suspension 47%
2005790Suspension 46%
2004601Suspension 50%
2002356Suspension 51%
2001281Suspension 49%
2000230Brakes 46%
1999170Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Saab 9-5s registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score