At a Glance
The Saab 9-3 has 24 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Mk2 (2003-2014) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 1.8M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Saab 9-3 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Saab 9-3 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Saab 9-3 Generations
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Most Common Saab 9-3 MOT Failures
Every reason Saab 9-3 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 10.58% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 8.41% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 7.83% |
| 4 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.25% |
| 5 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 5.06% |
| 6 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.90% |
| 7 | Front lamp not working | 4.87% |
| 8 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.42% |
| 9 | Exhaust system fault | 4.32% |
| 10 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.20% |
| 11 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.21% |
| 12 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.90% |
| 13 | Stop lamp not working | 2.37% |
| 14 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.02% |
| 15 | Position lamp not working | 1.89% |
| 16 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.80% |
| 17 | Driveshaft fault | 1.61% |
| 18 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.59% |
| 19 | Headlamp fault | 1.59% |
| 20 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.51% |
| 21 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.25% |
| 22 | Track rod end worn | 1.17% |
| 23 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.99% |
| 24 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.95% |
| 25 | Indicator fault | 0.95% |
| 26 | Seat belt condition | 0.94% |
| 27 | Rear lamp not working | 0.86% |
| 28 | Parking brake condition | 0.82% |
| 29 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.69% |
| 30 | ABS fault | 0.52% |
| 31 | Airbag warning light on | 0.48% |
| 32 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.45% |
| 33 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.43% |
| 34 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.42% |
| 35 | Steering rack fault | 0.39% |
| 36 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.39% |
| 37 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.38% |
| 38 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.38% |
| 39 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.32% |
| 40 | Horn not working | 0.32% |
| 41 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.29% |
| 42 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.25% |
| 43 | Fog lamp not working | 0.25% |
| 44 | Front suspension fault | 0.20% |
| 45 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.19% |
| 46 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.19% |
| 47 | Brake fluid leak | 0.17% |
| 48 | Brake lever fault | 0.15% |
| 49 | Brake caliper fault | 0.15% |
| 50 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.15% |
| 51 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.15% |
| 52 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.14% |
| 53 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.14% |
| 54 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.13% |
| 55 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.13% |
| 56 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.13% |
| 57 | Engine oil leak | 0.13% |
| 58 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.12% |
| 59 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.12% |
| 60 | Steering free play excessive | 0.12% |
| 61 | Steering arm worn | 0.11% |
| 62 | Chassis condition | 0.11% |
| 63 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.10% |
| 64 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.10% |
| 65 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.09% |
| 66 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.09% |
| 67 | Brake pedal fault | 0.09% |
| 68 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.08% |
| 69 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.07% |
| 70 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.07% |
| 71 | Steering lock fault | 0.06% |
| 72 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.06% |
| 73 | Steering operation fault | 0.05% |
| 74 | Power steering ram fault | 0.05% |
| 75 | Rear suspension fault | 0.05% |
| 76 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.05% |
| 77 | Drag link end worn | 0.05% |
| 78 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.05% |
| 79 | Steering column fault | 0.05% |
| 80 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 81 | Electrical switch fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.04% |
| 83 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.04% |
| 84 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 85 | Driver airbag fault | 0.04% |
| 86 | Steering coupling worn | 0.03% |
| 87 | Universal joint worn | 0.03% |
| 88 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.03% |
| 90 | Exhaust leak | 0.03% |
| 91 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 92 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 93 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 94 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.03% |
| 95 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 96 | Body security fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 99 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.01% |
| 101 | Driver seat fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.01% |
| 103 | Suspension unit fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Dip switch fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.01% |
| 107 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.01% |
| 108 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 111 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 114 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 116 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 117 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 118 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 121 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 125 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 126 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 129 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 132 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 136 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 141 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 142 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 143 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 148 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 151 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 155 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 156 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 159 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 161 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 162 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 163 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 166 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 168 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 169 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 173 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 175 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 176 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 178 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 183 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 184 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 186 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 187 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 188 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
Showing all 190 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Saab 9-3 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Saab 9-3, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Saab 9-3 problems?
Based on analysis of 1.8M Saab 9-3 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 24 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Coil spring broken or corroded". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Saab 9-3 generation has the most problems?
The Saab 9-3 Mk2 (2003-2014) (2003–2014) has the highest number of identified common problems (24). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Saab 9-3?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Saab 9-3 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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