Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp MOT pass rate & common failures
The Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp appears in 1,300 MOT tests spanning model years 2003–2009, and 75.6% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.3% fail rate), the 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp comes out 2.9pp better. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.6% of tests against 10.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and position lamp — headlamp alone was recorded 95 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 26.8% versus 17.3%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 29.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.2% in 2021 to 22.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every 9-3 Vector 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 40 | 72.5% | 27.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2004 | 206 | 70.9% | 29.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2005 | 348 | 76.7% | 23.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2006 | 375 | 75.2% | 24.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2007 | 225 | 76.0% | 24.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2008 | 59 | 84.8% | 15.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2009 | 47 | 80.8% | 19.1% | Brakes |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 190 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.9% | 142 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.4% | 96 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.9% | 76 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.7% | 61 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 53 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 3.7% | 48 |
| 8 | Steering | 2.4% | 31 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 95 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 88 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 59 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 58 |
| 5 | Washers | 47 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 44 |
| 7 | Wipers | 40 |
| 8 | Service brake performance | 34 |
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 | 29.2% | 380 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.3% | 316 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.2% | 289 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.8% | 283 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 209 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.7% | 165 |
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 | 127 | 17.3% |
| 60-90k | 393 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 412 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 260 | 25.4% |
| 150k+ | 97 | 26.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 338 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 290 | 21.7% |
| 2023 | 267 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 225 | 24.4% |
| 2025 | 180 | 22.8% |
What to check before buying a Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp
- Lighting & signalling (14.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.9% 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 (7.4% 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 Vector 150 Bhp?
75.6% of the 1,300 Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 24.4% fail rate, across model years 2003–2009.
What does the Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.6% of tests, then suspension (10.9%).
How much does mileage affect 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp MOT results?
Fail rates run at 17.3% for cars in the 30-60k band and 26.8% for 150k+, a 9.5-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,300 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.