2007 Saab 9-3 Vector Tid — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 322 MOT tests, the 2007 Saab 9-3 Vector Tid recorded a 74.8% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 26.7% of the time, so this is 1.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (10.6%) and lighting & signalling (8.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, headlamp aim and coil spring — joints alone was recorded 14 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.4% in the 60-90k band and 27.9% in the 150k+ band, a 6.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.7% in 2021 to 27.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.6% | 34 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 8.4% | 27 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.8% | 22 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.2% | 20 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 17 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.0% | 16 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 14 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 13 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 12 |
| 5 | Washers | 10 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 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 | Suspension | 31.1% | 100 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.0% | 90 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.4% | 69 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.7% | 44 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 29 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.4% | 24 |
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 | 42 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 88 | 22.7% |
| 120-150k | 103 | 26.2% |
| 150k+ | 86 | 27.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 101 | 29.7% |
| 2022 | 77 | 22.1% |
| 2023 | 62 | 24.2% |
| 2024 | 45 | 20.0% |
| 2025 | 37 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2007 9-3 Vector Tid
On a 2007 9-3 Vector Tid, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (10.6% 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 (8.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (6.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2007 Saab 9-3 Vector Tids pass their MOT?
74.8% of the 322 2007 Saab 9-3 Vector Tid MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Saab 9-3 Vector Tid?
Suspension, recorded in 10.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (8.4%).
Does the 2007 9-3 Vector Tid get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.4% in the 60-90k band to 27.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 322 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.