2006 Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 375 MOT tests, the 2006 Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp recorded a 75.2% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.3% of the time, so this is 2.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.5%) and suspension (12.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp and washers — coil spring alone was recorded 26 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 25.4% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 20.0% once past 120-150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.8% in 2021 to 18.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 47 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.0% | 45 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.9% | 26 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.1% | 23 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 21 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.1% | 19 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 26 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 25 |
| 3 | Washers | 18 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 15 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 14 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
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 | 32.0% | 120 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.9% | 97 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.1% | 83 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.3% | 65 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.3% | 46 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 43 |
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 | 118 | 25.4% |
| 90-120k | 130 | 26.2% |
| 120-150k | 75 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 84 | 23.8% |
| 2022 | 82 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 79 | 24.1% |
| 2024 | 75 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 55 | 18.2% |
What to check before buying a 2006 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.0% 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.
- Visibility (6.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 Vector 150 Bhps pass their MOT?
75.2% of the 375 2006 Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.5% of tests, followed by suspension (12.0%).
Does the 2006 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.4% in the 60-90k band to 20.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 375 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.