Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Saab 9-3
On MOT-testable defects, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (fail rate 17.9%) performed better than the Saab 9-3 (25.5%) across comparable years. The biggest divergence was lighting & signalling, where the 9-3 recorded failures more often.
17.9%
C-Class fail rate
25.5%
9-3 fail rate
7.61pp
Difference
Side by side
| Metric | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Saab 9-3 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests analysed | 2,277,625 | 277,061 |
| Pass rate | 82.1% | 74.5% |
| Fail rate | 17.9% | 25.5% |
Where they differ
| Category | C-Class | 9-3 |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting & signalling | 5.5% | 10.5% |
| Body, structure & corrosion | 0.0% | 4.9% |
| Suspension | 8.1% | 13.0% |
| Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 0.0% |
| Brakes | 5.4% | 8.2% |
| Tyres | 6.4% | 5.5% |
Methodology & source. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.