2010 Saab 9'3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 22,138 MOT tests, the 2010 Saab 9'3 recorded a 76.6% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail 20.7% of the time, so this is 2.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 14.0% of all tests — 8.1 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, tread depth and service brake performance — coil spring alone was recorded 2,050 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 27.3% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.4pp more often than petrol ones (24.2% vs 20.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 27.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.0% | 3,091 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.9% | 1,308 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.4% | 1,199 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.2% | 1,143 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.7% | 826 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.1% | 696 |
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 | 2,050 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 620 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 506 |
| 4 | On or after 01/07/2008 | 487 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 447 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 425 |
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 | 27.0% | 5,973 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.3% | 5,605 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.1% | 5,117 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.3% | 2,057 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 1,817 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 1,737 |
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 | 392 | 13.0% |
| 30-60k | 2,336 | 17.6% |
| 60-90k | 5,464 | 20.9% |
| 90-120k | 6,271 | 24.7% |
| 120-150k | 4,388 | 26.0% |
| 150k+ | 3,283 | 27.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 17,369 | 24.2% |
| Petrol | 4,769 | 20.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,014 | 23.9% |
| 2022 | 4,725 | 22.8% |
| 2023 | 4,456 | 23.4% |
| 2024 | 4,104 | 22.9% |
| 2025 | 3,839 | 24.3% |
What to check before buying a 2010 9'3
On a 2010 9'3, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (14.0% 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 (5.9% 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 (5.4% 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 2010 Saab 9'3s pass their MOT?
76.6% of the 22,138 2010 Saab 9'3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Saab 9'3?
Suspension, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by brakes (5.9%).
Does the 2010 9'3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.0% in the 0-30k band to 27.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,138 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.