1999 Saab 9'3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,906 MOT tests, the 1999 Saab 9'3 recorded a 76.1% pass rate. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (23.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests against 8.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, exhaust system and prescribed areas — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 201 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.6% once past 150k — 3.5× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 28.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 482 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.5% | 332 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.3% | 326 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 318 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 187 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 175 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 201 |
| 2 | Exhaust system | 169 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 168 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 168 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 159 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 158 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 28.0% | 1,094 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.4% | 953 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.3% | 832 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.1% | 783 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.6% | 689 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.8% | 421 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 34 | 8.8% |
| 30-60k | 301 | 16.3% |
| 60-90k | 938 | 20.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,257 | 23.0% |
| 120-150k | 792 | 27.5% |
| 150k+ | 582 | 30.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,841 | 23.7% |
| Diesel | 65 | 32.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,042 | 23.7% |
| 2022 | 927 | 25.5% |
| 2023 | 759 | 23.8% |
| 2024 | 614 | 22.8% |
| 2025 | 564 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a 1999 9'3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.5% 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.
- Suspension (8.3% 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.
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 1999 Saab 9'3s pass their MOT?
76.1% of the 3,906 1999 Saab 9'3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Saab 9'3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by brakes (8.5%).
Does the 1999 9'3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.8% in the 0-30k band to 30.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,906 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.