Used car guide

2009 Saab 9-5: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Saab 9-5s, from 577 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

577MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
7,300typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Saab 9-5s than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Engine oil leaks2.1× usual
    Saab 9-5
    21.7% All 2009 cars
    10.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2009 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.

  • Suspension arm3.5× usual
    Saab 9-5
    13.7% All 2009 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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.

  • Flexible brake hoses2.4× usual
    Saab 9-5
    7.1% All 2009 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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.

  • Engine warning light2.3× usual
    Saab 9-5
    5.4% All 2009 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Coil springs: 6.1% here, against 12.4% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Saab 9-5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    42% 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
    31% 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
    28% 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
    25% 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
    23% 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
    8% 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%
2008776Suspension 45%
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 2009 Saab 9-5s registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score