Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 6 model years and 842 tests, the Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp passes its MOT 77.7% of the time. All cars of a similar age fail 27.3% of the time, so this is 5.0pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.1%) and suspension (13.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and headlamp — position lamp alone was recorded 55 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.3% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 26.4% once past 150k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 28.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 58 | 74.1% | 25.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2005 | 258 | 75.2% | 24.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2006 | 315 | 77.8% | 22.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2007 | 204 | 80.9% | 19.1% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 119 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.0% | 109 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.6% | 64 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.5% | 46 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 45 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 24 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 22 |
| 8 | Steering | 1.9% | 16 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 55 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 44 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 41 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 39 |
| 5 | Wipers | 28 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 26 |
| 7 | Pins and bushes | 26 |
| 8 | Service brake performance | 21 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 28.6% | 241 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.0% | 227 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.0% | 202 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.4% | 155 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 121 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.6% | 98 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 60 | 18.3% |
| 60-90k | 206 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 301 | 18.9% |
| 120-150k | 170 | 28.8% |
| 150k+ | 91 | 26.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 236 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 196 | 23.0% |
| 2023 | 156 | 17.3% |
| 2024 | 144 | 23.6% |
| 2025 | 110 | 24.6% |
What to check before buying a Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (7.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp?
77.7% of the 842 Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 22.3% fail rate, across model years 2002–2007.
What does the Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, then suspension (13.0%).
How much does mileage affect 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp MOT results?
Fail rates run at 18.3% for cars in the 30-60k band and 26.4% for 150k+, a 8.0-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 842 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.