Saab 9-5
From 13,332 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 9-5s fare better: 2011 models pass at 81.4% vs 74.5% for 1999.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a lamp missing and inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 710 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 710 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 436 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 388 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 325 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 314 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 276 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 272 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 247 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 240 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 182 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 18.8% of 9-5 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 48.8% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £130.
Saab 9-5 on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 1,311 scrapped or exported in the past year with only 1 newly registered, a net loss of 1,310. At this rate, roughly 8 years until none remain. Now at 20.9% of its peak (50,317 in 2009 Q1).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 6,035 | 4,461 | +0 | -240 | -240 |
| 2025 Q2 | 6,255 | 4,481 | +1 | -261 | -260 |
| 2025 Q1 | 6,521 | 4,475 | +0 | -353 | -353 |
| 2024 Q4 | 6,847 | 4,502 | +0 | -457 | -457 |
| 2024 Q3 | 7,149 | 4,657 | +2 | -366 | -364 |
| 2024 Q2 | 7,482 | 4,688 | +1 | -284 | -283 |
| 2024 Q1 | 7,796 | 4,657 | +1 | -306 | -305 |
| 2023 Q4 | 8,159 | 4,599 | +2 | -245 | -243 |
20 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-5 Aero | Diesel | 657 | 15% |
| 9-5 Aero Auto | Gas | 491 | 11% |
| 9-5 Aero S-A | Gas | 366 | 8% |
| 9-5 Vector Auto | Gas | 325 | 7% |
| 9-5 1.9Tid Edition | Diesel | 254 | 6% |
| 9-5 2.3T Edition | Petrol | 232 | 5% |
| 9-5 Vector Se Tid4 Auto | Diesel | 204 | 5% |
| 9-5 Se Auto | Gas | 202 | 5% |
| 9-5 Vector Sport Tid Auto | Diesel | 199 | 5% |
| 9-5 Vector Sport Tid | Diesel | 172 | 4% |
| 9-5 2.3T Edition Auto | Petrol | 171 | 4% |
| 9-5 Se | Diesel | 166 | 4% |
| 9-5 1.9Tid Edition Auto | Diesel | 150 | 3% |
| 9-5 Vector Se Tid4 | Diesel | 150 | 3% |
| 9-5 Aero An 2.3T Hot A | Petrol | 137 | 3% |
| 9-5 Linear Tid | Diesel | 107 | 2% |
| 9-5 Vector | Gas | 103 | 2% |
| 9-5 Arc Auto | Gas | 100 | 2% |
| 09-May | Diesel | 96 | 2% |
| 9-5 Vector Sport 2.3T S-A | Gas | 91 | 2% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 81.4% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
| 2010 | 76.7% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
| 2009 | 74.6% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction |
| 2008 | 72.8% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
10 earlier years
| 2007 | 71.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2006 | 70.7% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2005 | 70.9% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2004 | 69.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2003 | 69.7% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2002 | 64% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2001 | 71.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2000 | 66.2% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1999 | 74.5% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 1998 | 69.8% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all 9-5s tested had between 87,116 and 148,011 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 117,113 median miles, the 9-5 has 0.024 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Saab models
Common questions
What is the Saab 9-5 MOT pass rate?
The Saab 9-5 has a 71.7% MOT pass rate based on 13,332 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Saab 9-5?
The most common MOT failure on the Saab 9-5 is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 710 failures. Other common issues include the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements.
How many Saab 9-5s are on UK roads?
There are 6,035 Saab 9-5s currently licensed on UK roads, with 4,461 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Saab 9-5 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Saab 9-5 is 117,113 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 87,116 and 148,011 miles.
Buying a used 9-5?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 71.7% pass rate and an average repair bill of £130 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.