Used car guide

2011 Saab 9-5: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Saab 9-5s, from 301 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 301 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

301MOT tests in 2025
73%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
7,600typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Saab 9-5s than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Sub-frame2.7× usual
    Saab 9-5
    15.9% All 2011 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, 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.

By area

The share of 2011 Saab 9-5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    33% 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
    26% 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
    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.

  • Brakes
    19% 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
    13% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Saab 9-5?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010573Suspension 33%
2009577Suspension 42%
2008776Suspension 45%
2007868Suspension 47%
2006798Suspension 47%
2005790Suspension 46%
2004601Suspension 50%
2003382Suspension 49%
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 2011 Saab 9-5s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score