2008 Saab 9-3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 42,767 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Saab 9-3, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 74.9% was below the average for executive cars of a similar age (77.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 27.6% in the 150k+ group versus 11.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.1% | 5,601 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.3% | 3,538 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 3,252 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.3% | 2,250 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 2,081 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 2,065 |
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 | 3,345 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 1,293 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,210 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 1,190 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 1,117 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 1,015 |
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 | 27.4% | 11,722 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.8% | 11,453 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.0% | 11,111 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.8% | 5,491 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.9% | 5,085 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 4,532 |
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 | 231 | 11.7% |
| 30-60k | 2,305 | 18.1% |
| 60-90k | 7,409 | 21.7% |
| 90-120k | 12,169 | 24.9% |
| 120-150k | 11,060 | 27.2% |
| 150k+ | 9,572 | 27.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 28,891 | 26.4% |
| Petrol | 13,863 | 22.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,034 | 26.2% |
| 2022 | 9,729 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 8,585 | 25.1% |
| 2024 | 7,245 | 24.4% |
| 2025 | 6,174 | 24.5% |
What to check before buying a 2008 9-3
Before buying a 2008 Saab 9-3, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 13.1% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (13.1% 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 (8.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (7.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2008 Saab 9-3s pass their MOT?
74.9% of the 42,767 2008 Saab 9-3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Saab 9-3?
Suspension, recorded in 13.1% of tests, followed by brakes (8.3%).
Does the 2008 9-3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.7% in the 0-30k band to 27.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 42,767 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.