2002 Saab 9'3 — MOT failures & pass rate
6,228 MOT tests on the 2002 Saab 9'3 are in this dataset, and 75.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (24.3% 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
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.6%) and brakes (10.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and exhaust system — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 428 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 32.5% once past 150k — 4.8× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 31.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.2% in 2021 to 20.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 784 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.2% | 637 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.9% | 615 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 422 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 376 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.2% | 323 |
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 | 428 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 285 |
| 3 | Exhaust system | 264 |
| 4 | Wipers | 240 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 228 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 211 |
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 | 31.9% | 1,989 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.6% | 1,718 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 24.2% | 1,506 |
| 4 | Tyres | 23.9% | 1,490 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.8% | 1,231 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 713 |
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 | 44 | 6.8% |
| 30-60k | 484 | 17.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,466 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,054 | 23.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,362 | 28.1% |
| 150k+ | 816 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 5,768 | 23.6% |
| Diesel | 460 | 32.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,697 | 25.2% |
| 2022 | 1,464 | 25.1% |
| 2023 | 1,229 | 24.1% |
| 2024 | 1,010 | 24.9% |
| 2025 | 828 | 20.5% |
What to check before buying a 2002 9'3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.2% 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.
- Suspension (9.9% 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 2002 Saab 9'3s pass their MOT?
75.7% of the 6,228 2002 Saab 9'3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Saab 9'3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.6% of tests, followed by brakes (10.2%).
Does the 2002 9'3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.8% in the 0-30k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,228 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.