2005 Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp — MOT failures & pass rate
258 MOT tests on the 2005 Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp are in this dataset, and 75.2% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.6% of the time, so this is 2.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.7%) and suspension (15.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 26 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.9% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 33.3% once past 120-150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 28.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 43 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.5% | 40 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.3% | 24 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.0% | 18 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.3% | 11 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.1% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 26 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 20 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 15 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 15 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 11 |
| 6 | Wipers | 11 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 28.7% | 74 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.6% | 61 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.3% | 60 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.3% | 55 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 47 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.3% | 24 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 61 | 22.9% |
| 90-120k | 82 | 18.3% |
| 120-150k | 63 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 75 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 62 | 22.6% |
| 2023 | 47 | 21.3% |
| 2024 | 40 | 27.5% |
| 2025 | 34 | 29.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp
On a 2005 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.5% 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 (9.3% 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
How many 2005 Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhps pass their MOT?
75.2% of the 258 2005 Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.7% of tests, followed by suspension (15.5%).
Does the 2005 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.9% in the 60-90k band to 33.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 258 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.