2004 Saab 9'3 — MOT failures & pass rate
18,089 MOT tests on the 2004 Saab 9'3 are in this dataset, and 72.5% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (24.3% fail rate), the 2004 9'3 comes out 3.1pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests against 12.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,525 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.8% in the 0-30k band and 31.2% in the 150k+ band, a 15.4-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 27.2% fail against 31.0% for diesel, a 3.8-point gap across 18,089 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.6% in 2021 to 26.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 2,972 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.5% | 2,266 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.1% | 1,651 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.7% | 1,033 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.4% | 975 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 916 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,525 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,517 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,118 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 752 |
| 5 | Wipers | 579 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 570 |
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 | 35.0% | 6,340 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.2% | 4,923 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.6% | 4,810 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 26.3% | 4,762 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 3,423 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.2% | 2,381 |
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 | 139 | 15.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,100 | 19.4% |
| 60-90k | 3,672 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 5,810 | 27.9% |
| 120-150k | 4,545 | 30.1% |
| 150k+ | 2,752 | 31.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 16,922 | 27.2% |
| Diesel | 1,167 | 31.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,189 | 28.6% |
| 2022 | 4,321 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 3,476 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 2,807 | 26.5% |
| 2025 | 2,296 | 26.8% |
What to check before buying a 2004 9'3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.5% 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.
- Brakes (9.1% 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
How many 2004 Saab 9'3s pass their MOT?
72.5% of the 18,089 2004 Saab 9'3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Saab 9'3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by suspension (12.5%).
Does the 2004 9'3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.8% in the 0-30k band to 31.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,089 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.