2005 Saab 9-3 · 14,253 MOT tests
2005 Saab 9-3 reliability
2005 Saab 9-3s fail 40.6% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 14 9-3 years (14,253 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Saab 9-3s: 37.3%)
- 40.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Saab 9-3s: 37.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 9% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 112,359
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 14,253
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- 2006 cars: 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 31% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Saab 9-3
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.8%
- Suspension15.5%
- Brakes11.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.7%
- Tyres6.9%
- Body, chassis and structure6.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 5.42%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.21%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.33%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.79%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.71%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 2.13%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (16.1%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.66%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.42%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (8.97%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.62%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.84%)
Other years
Every Saab 9-3 year
The full picture: Saab 9-3 reliability. Before you pay for any Saab 9-3, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2005 Saab 9-3 reliable?
2005 Saab 9-3s fail 40.6% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 14 9-3 years (14,253 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Saab 9-3 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (5.42% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (5.21% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.33% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Saab 9-3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2005 Saab 9-3 shows 112,359 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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