2005 Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp — MOT failures & pass rate
348 MOT tests on the 2005 Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp are in this dataset, and 76.7% of them passed. That is 4.3 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.5% of all tests — 5.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 32 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2005 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp fails 21.3% of the time in the 60-90k band and 21.9% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.7 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 54 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.8% | 34 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.6% | 23 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.3% | 22 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.7% | 13 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.5% | 12 |
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 | 32 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 26 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 23 |
| 4 | Wipers | 18 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 10 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 10 |
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 | 31.9% | 111 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 29.3% | 102 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.8% | 83 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.4% | 78 |
| 5 | Brakes | 18.4% | 64 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.9% | 52 |
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 | 94 | 21.3% |
| 90-120k | 130 | 24.6% |
| 120-150k | 64 | 25.0% |
| 150k+ | 41 | 21.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 100 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 86 | 20.9% |
| 2023 | 73 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 47 | 19.1% |
| 2025 | 42 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 2005 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp
On a 2005 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.8% 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 (6.6% 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
How many 2005 Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhps pass their MOT?
76.7% of the 348 2005 Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by suspension (9.8%).
Does the 2005 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.3% in the 60-90k band to 21.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 348 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.