2006 Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp — MOT failures & pass rate
315 MOT tests on the 2006 Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp are in this dataset, and 77.8% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.3% of the time, so this is 5.1pp 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 (14.0%) and suspension (12.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, pins and bushes and headlamp — position lamp alone was recorded 26 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2006 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp fails 22.2% of the time in the 60-90k band and 24.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.1 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 36.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 21.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 44 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.7% | 40 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.3% | 23 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.7% | 18 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.1% | 13 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.5% | 11 |
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 | 26 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 13 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 13 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 11 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 9 |
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 | 36.5% | 115 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.4% | 102 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.7% | 81 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.4% | 58 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 40 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.1% | 38 |
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 | 72 | 22.2% |
| 90-120k | 127 | 19.7% |
| 120-150k | 72 | 26.4% |
| 150k+ | 37 | 24.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 81 | 21.0% |
| 2022 | 75 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 59 | 11.9% |
| 2024 | 56 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 44 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2006 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.7% 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 (7.3% 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 2006 Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhps pass their MOT?
77.8% of the 315 2006 Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by suspension (12.7%).
Does the 2006 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.2% in the 60-90k band to 24.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 315 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.