2004 Saab 9-5: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Saab 9-5?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Saab 9-5 than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Suspension arm2.3× usual
  Saab 9-5

  9.5% All 2004 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.4% of all 2004 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× usual
  Saab 9-5

  11.3% All 2004 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 1.2% of all 2004 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.

• Sub-frame bushes10× usual
  Saab 9-5

  5% All 2004 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.1% of all 2004 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.

• Seat belts2.9× usual
  Saab 9-5

  5.3% All 2004 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.6% of all 2004 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.

Common 2004 Saab 9-5 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Saab 9-5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  50% 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
  42% 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
  36% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  25% 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
  12% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Saab 9-5

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2004 Saab 9-5 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2004 Saab 9-5 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame bushes? (Flagged at MOT 10× as often on the 2004 Saab 9-5 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?