Used car guide

2008 Saab 9-5: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Saab 9-5s, from 776 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

776MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,200typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Saab 9-5s than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Engine oil leaks2× usual
    Saab 9-5
    25.3% All 2008 cars
    12.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2008 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 belts3.9× usual
    Saab 9-5
    6.7% All 2008 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.6% of all 2008 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.

  • Suspension arm2.4× usual
    Saab 9-5
    8.8% All 2008 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 4.5% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Saab 9-5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% 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
    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
    32% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% 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
    26% 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
    11% 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
2010573Suspension 33%
2009577Suspension 42%
2007868Suspension 47%
2006798Suspension 47%
2005790Suspension 46%
2004601Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Saab 9-5s registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score