Saab 9-3 Vector Tid MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 8 model years and 798 tests, the Saab 9-3 Vector Tid passes its MOT 74.8% of the time. All cars of a similar age fail 26.5% of the time, so this is 1.4pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 12.8% of tests against 9.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, tread depth and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 50 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.2% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 26.0% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.1% in 2021 to 25.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every 9-3 Vector Tid model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 32 | 68.8% | 31.3% | Brakes |
| 2006 | 189 | 73.5% | 26.5% | Suspension |
| 2007 | 322 | 74.8% | 25.2% | Suspension |
| 2008 | 188 | 75.0% | 25.0% | Suspension |
| 2009 | 36 | 77.8% | 22.2% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.8% | 102 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.4% | 75 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.2% | 65 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.5% | 60 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 43 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 38 |
| 7 | Visibility | 4.3% | 34 |
| 8 | Steering | 2.0% | 16 |
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 | 50 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 34 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 30 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 27 |
| 5 | Joints | 26 |
| 6 | Wipers | 25 |
| 7 | Brake pads | 23 |
| 8 | Linkage ball joints | 19 |
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 | 31.3% | 250 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.3% | 242 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.1% | 224 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.8% | 102 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.8% | 78 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.8% | 70 |
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 | 104 | 19.2% |
| 90-120k | 206 | 26.2% |
| 120-150k | 233 | 26.6% |
| 150k+ | 246 | 26.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 251 | 27.1% |
| 2022 | 203 | 26.1% |
| 2023 | 147 | 23.1% |
| 2024 | 111 | 21.6% |
| 2025 | 86 | 25.6% |
What to check before buying a Saab 9-3 Vector Tid
- Suspension (12.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (9.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.2% 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 Tid?
74.8% of the 798 Saab 9-3 Vector Tid MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 25.2% fail rate, across model years 2004–2011.
What does the Saab 9-3 Vector Tid most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension, recorded in 12.8% of tests, then lighting & signalling (9.4%).
How much does mileage affect 9-3 Vector Tid MOT results?
Fail rates run at 19.2% for cars in the 60-90k band and 26.0% for 150k+, a 6.8-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 798 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.